Dual plumbing system and method for a hot tub or spa

ABSTRACT

Systems, apparatus and methods for providing air and water to hot tub jets. The present teachings include jet assemblies, manifold assemblies, and related components, as well as methods of assembling hot tubs involving these components. In some cases, the present teachings describe the use of dual extrusion tubing to route air and water through adjacent, connected fluid conduits. In some cases, the present teachings describe a “press-and-click” method of connecting various components.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to systems and methods for hot tub, swim spa andpersonal therapy unit plumbing systems. More specifically, the disclosedembodiments relate to improved methods for simultaneously providingwater and air to jets in a hot tub or spa.

BACKGROUND

A hot tub or spa is a pool of heated water typically sized to providespace for between one and ten people. Hot tubs and spas are often usedfor relaxation, various forms of therapy (including hydrotherapy and/oraromatherapy), pleasure, massage, training, and/or rehab (for example,in the case of a swim spa). Hot tubs and spas may be located eitherindoors or outdoors. Hot tubs are often used for social gatheringsand/or for individual use. In addition, hot tubs are known to have avariety of health benefits. Hot tubs and spas can come in a wide varietyof shapes, sizes, colors, and styles and may include a variety ofadditional accessories from filters to lights to built-in audio. In manycases, external portions of the hot tub and/or the frame may bedecorated.

Hot tubs use jets to deliver a combination of water and air to the poolof water contained within the hot tub shell. In many cases, the jets maybe used for massage purposes as well as circulating the water. The jetsalso provide fresh, heated water to the hot tub shell after cycling thewater through appropriate heating and filtering systems. A plumbingsystem separately transports water and/or air from respective sources tothe jets which may be located in a variety of places throughout the hottub shell. The hot tub shell is supported by a hot tub frame which mayalso serve to contain and protect the plumbing system, as well asproviding a structure for applying a decorative exterior.

In known methods, air and water are delivered to a given jet by separatetubes and associated system components. A typical hot tub may haveapproximately 45 jets, though a large hot tub may have many more,potentially more than 100. This can result in a large number of separatetubes which must be installed by hand and contained between the hot tubframe and the hot tub shell. This is a highly complicated process withmany steps and involves an extraordinary amount of labor. Accordingly,there is a need for hot tub plumbing systems that simplify the deliveryof air and water to the jets, and reduce the labor involved inassembling the hot tub.

SUMMARY

The plumbing system of the present teachings reduces the amount of laborduring installation by significantly decreasing the number of tubes,connections and associated fittings used. This decrease is accomplishedby using dual extrusion tubing which delivers air and watersimultaneously. Benefits of using dual extrusion tubing may includehalving the amount of labor involved in installing the plumbing systemin a hot tub as well as decreasing the likelihood of mistakes.Furthermore, dual extrusion tubing can be used in conjunction withspecialized manifolds that simplify how air and water are routed to thehot tub jets. Additionally, the systems and methods of installing aplumbing system according to the present teachings simplifiesinstallation by using a “press-and-click” assembly. Benefits of thismethod of assembly may include a further reduction in labor as well as areduction in the amount of glue and adhesive used.

The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and methodsrelating to a hot tub plumbing system wherein one portion of the tubing(for example, one passage of a length of dual extrusion tubing) carriesa water stream and a second portion carries an air stream. In someembodiments, a hot tub plumbing system may include a “press-and-click”method of assembly and wherein two components may be coupled togetherwhen aligned by applying axial compressive forces to overcome a springbias or other resistive force, after which the components are lockedtogether and O-rings ensure a seal. In some cases, components of theplumbing system can thereby be joined in a water tight manner withoutthe use of glue or primer. The reduction or elimination of glue andprimer is significant in many forms. Manual application can beinconsistent, which can lead to failures of the joint that are difficultand costly to repair. Furthermore, glue and primer contain volatileorganic compounds that can pose environmental and human health issues.

In some embodiments, a jet assembly may include a jet insert, a jetbody, and a jet back; wherein the jet back may be configured to beseparately coupled to the tubing and then “snapped” onto the jet bodyaccording to the “press-and-click” method. In some embodiments, amanifold may be used which can simultaneously provide both air and waterstreams to the length and/or lengths of tubing and which is configuredto couple together, via the “press-and-click” method, with othermanifolds to form a multi-port manifold and/or with an end cap to endthe flow of water and air.

Features, functions, and advantages may be achieved independently invarious embodiments of the present disclosure, or may be combined in yetother embodiments, further details of which can be seen with referenceto the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of portions of a prior art hot tubplumbing system.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of portions of a hot tub plumbingsystem, according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary hot tub plumbing system,according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary jet assembly, according toaspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view of a jet assembly, according toaspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded isometric view of the jet assembly ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the jet assembly of FIG. 5, showing thejet assembly in an assembled state.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the jet assembly of FIG. 5, showing thejet assembly in an assembled state.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a jet back portion of the jet assembly ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a nozzle portion of the jet assembly ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is another isometric view of the nozzle portion shown in FIG.10.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a nozzle portion installed in a jet bodyportion of the jet assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the jet body portion shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a jet body thatcan be used as part of a jet assembly, according to aspects of thepresent teachings.

FIG. 15 is a sectional elevational view of the jet body of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of a jet bodythat can be used as part of a jet assembly, according to aspects of thepresent teachings.

FIG. 17 is a sectional elevational view of the jet body of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of still another embodiment of a jet bodythat can be used as part of a jet assembly, according to aspects of thepresent teachings.

FIG. 19 is a sectional elevational view of the jet body of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an exploded isometric view of another embodiment of a jetassembly, according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a jet back portion of the jet assemblyof FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a jet assembly,according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 23 is an exploded sectional view of still another embodiment of ajet assembly, according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 24 is a partially exploded isometric view of the jet assembly ofFIG. 23, showing the jet assembly in a partially assembled state.

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the jet assembly of FIG. 23, showing thejet assembly in an assembled state.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of the jet assembly of FIG. 23 in anassembled state.

FIG. 27 is an isometric view of a jet back portion of the jet assemblyof FIG. 23.

FIG. 28 is a partially exploded isometric view of yet another jetassembly, according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a jet back portion of the jet assemblyof FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is an isometric view of yet another jet assembly, according toaspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram of a plumbing system showing how manifoldsmay be integrated into the system, according to aspects of the presentteachings.

FIG. 32 is an isometric view of an air and water supply manifold,according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 33 is a front elevational view of the manifold of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a rear elevational view of the manifold of FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is a top view of the manifold of FIG. 32.

FIG. 36 is a side elevational view of the manifold of FIG. 32.

FIG. 37 is an isometric view showing two manifolds of the type depictedin FIGS. 32-36 attached together.

FIG. 38 is an isometric view of a male manifold adapter, according toaspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 39 is a bottom view of the male manifold adapter of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a side elevational view of the male manifold adapter of FIG.38.

FIG. 41 is an isometric view of a female manifold adapter, according toaspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 42 is a bottom view of the female manifold adapter of FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is a side elevational view of the female manifold adapter ofFIG. 41.

FIG. 44 is an isometric view of a manifold end cap, according to aspectsof the present teachings.

FIG. 45 is a top view of the manifold end cap of FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is an isometric view of an interconnected manifold assemblyincluding two manifolds, a male manifold adapter, and a female manifoldadapter, according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 47 is an isometric view of an interconnected manifold assemblyincluding two manifolds, a male manifold adapter, and a manifold endcap, according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 48 is an exploded isometric view of the manifold assembly of FIG.46.

FIG. 49 is a partially exploded isometric view of the manifold assemblyof FIG. 47.

FIG. 50 is a sectional isometric view of the interconnected manifoldassembly of FIG. 46, showing internal structure of the water conduits ofthe manifold assembly.

FIG. 51 is another sectional isometric view of the interconnectedmanifold assembly of FIG. 46, showing internal structure of the airconduits on one side of the manifold assembly.

FIG. 52 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of a manifoldassembly including three interconnected manifold bodies and a malemanifold adapter, according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 53 is an isometric view of the manifold assembly of FIG. 52.

FIG. 54 is a block diagram illustrating how water and air flow fromtheir respective supplies to a jet assembly, according to aspects of thepresent teachings.

FIG. 55 is an isometric view depicting a portion of an exemplary hot tubplumbing system, according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 56 is an isometric view depicting a portion of another exemplaryhot tub plumbing system, according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 57 is an isometric view of a clamp suitable for use with dualextrusion tubing, according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 58 is a top view of the clamp of FIG. 57.

FIG. 59 is an isometric view of a portion of an exemplary hot tubplumbing system, showing clamps of the type depicted in FIGS. 57-58 inuse.

FIG. 60 is a partially exploded isometric view of portions of anotherexemplary hot tub plumbing system, according to aspects of the presentteachings.

FIG. 61 is a partially exploded isometric view of a magnified portion ofthe hot tub plumbing system of FIG. 60.

FIG. 62 is an isometric view of another clamp suitable for use with dualextrusion tubing, according to aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 63 is a top view of the clamp of FIG. 62.

FIG. 64 is a sectional view of dual extrusion tubing that can be used inconjunction with presently disclosed hot tub plumbing systems, accordingto aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart depicting steps performed in an illustrativemethod of installing a hot tub plumbing system, according to aspects ofthe present teachings.

FIG. 66 is a flowchart depicting steps performed in an illustrativemethod of coupling a jet back to a jet body, according to aspects of thepresent teachings.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart depicting steps performed in an illustrativemethod of attaching tubing to a jet back, according to aspects of thepresent teachings.

FIG. 68 is a flowchart depicting steps performed in an illustrativemethod of assembling a portion of a manifold assembly, according toaspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 69 is a flowchart depicting steps performed in an illustrativemethod of assembling another portion of a manifold assembly, accordingto aspects of the present teachings.

FIG. 70 is a flowchart depicting steps performed in an illustrativemethod of attaching tubing to a manifold assembly, according to aspectsof the present teachings.

FIG. 71 is a flowchart depicting steps performed in an illustrativemethod of coupling air and water sources to manifold adapters, accordingto aspects of the present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Introduction

As described above, hot tubs use jets to deliver a combination of waterand air to various parts of a hot tub shell. In many cases, the jets maybe used for massage purposes as well as circulating the water. In knownapproaches, the plumbing system includes two complex networks of tubing.One network delivers water from the water supply to each jet while asecond network of tubing delivers air from an air supply to each jet. Anexample of this type of system is generally shown in FIG. 1. Note thatFIGS. 1 and 2 (described below) each show only a representative sampleof 6 jets. A typical hot tub will contain 45 or more jets, and a largerhot tub may have 80 or more jets, potentially resulting in hundreds ofseparate sections of air and water tubing, each of which must beprocessed and installed by hand.

Additionally, as FIG. 1 shows, in conventional hot tub plumbing systems,each air tube and each water tube must be coupled with an appropriatesupply manifold on one end and with the back of a jet on the other.Manifolds are used to transition from a larger supply tube or pipe tothe smaller tubes that attach to individual jets. These supply pipesmust also be installed by hand, connecting one end to the manifold andthe other to the air and/or water source. This results in manyadditional connections that must be installed by hand. In addition tothe labor associated with such a large number of tubes and connections,there is a significant possibility that mistakes may be made duringassembly. To have a functional hot tub, it is important that each tubeconnects to the correct locations (both the correct location on the hottub and the correct manifold) and takes the correct path between themanifold and the jet (or between the air or water supply and themanifold). A missed or incorrect connection might result in only air oronly water being delivered to a particular jet, or even two jets beingconnected together such that neither functions.

Further, in previously known plumbing systems, each connection typicallyrequires the use of glue and/or primer, and the application of a clamp.In known methods, installing a single water tube requires cutting thetube to the correct length, sliding a clamp onto each end of the tube,applying glue to both ends of the tube and the two ports that the tubeis connecting, sliding an end of the tube onto each port, and usingpliers or a specialized tool to slide the clamps down over the ends ofthe ports. A similar process must be used for each of the air tubes,although not always requiring a clamp. Although glue is sometimes notused on the air tubes, a primer is often applied to each end of thetube, as well as to the ports to which the air tube is being coupled.

Hot tubs are typically assembled in a series of sequential steps. Insome cases, the various steps are divided among multiple stations. Forexample, in one exemplary method of assembly, a worker at a firststation installs the jets on the hot tub shell while a worker at asecond station cuts the air and water tubes to predetermined lengths andplaces clamps on each end of the tubing some distance up from the ends.At the same station, a worker also couples (using glue and repositioningthe clamp) one end of the water tubes to a water distribution manifoldand/or couples one end of the air tubes to an air manifold. A worker ata third station installs the manifolds on the hot tub, connecting eachto the appropriate supply. A worker at the third station also couplesthe free end of each air and water tube to the jets.

Coupling each tube to a jet or a manifold involves application of glueand/or primer and repositioning the clamp. Thus, glue and primer must beused at multiple stations. The workers at each station must keep trackof which tube needs primer and which needs glue as well as where eachtube goes. This complexity increases the likelihood of mistakes.Further, the large quantities of glue and primer used and present in theassembly area can be both a health concern and an environmental concern.

The present disclosure represents several improvements over the priorart: the systems and methods according to the present teachings greatlydecrease the amount of labor involved in assembling a plumbing system,reduce the need for glue and primer, and decrease the likelihood ofmistakes. The presently described improvements therefore represent asignificant reduction in the time, labor, and cost of manufacturing ahot tub.

More specifically, the use of dual extrusion tubing halves the number oftubes needed to route air and water from the manifolds to the hot tubjets, as compared to the use of individual air and water tubes. Insteadof using one tube to carry a stream of air to each jet and a second tubeto carry a stream of water to each jet, the present disclosure teachesthe use of a single length of dual extrusion tubing, having twopassages, for each jet. The larger passage of the dual extrusion tubingcarries a stream of water while the smaller passage, joined to thelarger passage, carries a stream of air. An example of an improvedsystem according to aspects of the present disclosure is generally shownin FIG. 2.

In addition, the present disclosure describes simplified installation ofhot tub plumbing systems through the use of improved jet assemblies andmanifold assemblies. For example, the present disclosure teachessimplified installation of the jets by teaching a jet assemblycomprising three components. A jet insert forms the flow director anddecorative portion visible from the interior of the hot tub shell. A jetbody couples with the jet insert through the wall of the hot tub shell,affixing both in place. A jet back couples with the tubing and with thejet body, thereby separately delivering air and water to the jet bodywhere the separate streams of air and water can merge before enteringthe hot tub body via the jet insert.

The present disclosure also simplifies installation by using a combinedair and water manifold. In other words, instead of separate air andwater manifolds, according to the present teachings a single, universalmanifold can carry both air and water. The manifolds of the presentdisclosure are configured to have a first, larger passage for water anda second, smaller passage for air. The air passage may be joined to theoutside of the water passage. In some cases, two air passages disposedon opposite sides of the water passage may be used. Parallel egressports, one from the water passage and one from the air passage, areconfigured to couple with the tubing (for example, dual extrusiontubing).

In some cases, manifolds according to the present teachings have twosets of egress ports, each configured to couple with a dual extrusiontube. A universal manifold having two sets of egress ports allows formore flexibility in the plumbing system than known systems, for examplesystems which have four ports in the water manifolds and six or more inthe air manifolds. According to the present teachings, because the airand water ports may be disposed together in sets (with each setincluding one air port and one water port), there may always be an equalnumber of air and water ports.

Moreover, a smaller number of ports on the base unit (i.e. two sets ofports on each manifold) decreases the number of unused ports in thepresently disclosed systems. If there is an odd number of jets, only oneset of unused ports needs to be plugged (i.e., capped). If there is aneven number of jets, then manifolds can be added or removed until thenumber of ports exactly matches the number of jets. Note that in FIG. 1(the prior art), several unused air and water ports are capped whilenone of the ports in FIG. 2 (an embodiment of the presently disclosedsystem) are unused or capped. Thus, in this manner manifolds accordingto aspects of the present disclosure may significantly simplify theplumbing process.

The systems and methods of the present teachings may also reduce theneed for glue and primer, because the manifolds and the components ofthe jet assemblies may be configured to couple together in a water tightand air tight manner without the use of glue. For example, a ridge onthe water egress and ingress ports may ensure a tight seal, while aclamp may ensure that the associated dual extrusion tubing will notslide off of the ports. A lubricant such as soapy water may be used tofacilitate sliding the tubing over the ports. Such a lubricant typicallydoes not pose the health and environmental concerns that glue and primerdo.

The present disclosure also teaches an improved clamp having a pair ofcontiguous arcuate apertures which are configured to fit around the dualextrusion tubing contemplated by the present teachings. The clamp alsohas a releasable end portion so that the clamp can be placed over thetubing at a desired location and tightened without any need toreposition it. Two sets of complementary ratcheting teeth are engaged tosecure the clamp in place. Use of this improved clamp reduces the amountthat each clamp needs to be handled, further decreasing the amount oflabor required.

The present disclosure further teaches an improved method of assembly inwhich many of the components may be configured to be able to be coupledtogether by being compressed together when aligned to overcome aresistive force. This “press-and-click” method greatly simplifiesassembly, reduces the need for glue, and significantly reduces theamount of labor. The present disclosure uses “press-and-click” to referto a connection mechanism in which two components may be fastened orengaged together by applying axial compressive forces to overcome aspring bias or other resistive force, after which the components arelocked together in an air tight and/or water tight fashion. This isdistinct from prior art hot tub plumbing systems in which fastening theplumbing components together typically requires gluing and press fittingindividual water and air hoses to make a secure connection.

The plumbing system of the present disclosure may be assembled in aseries of sequential steps. In some examples, the steps may bedistributed between multiple stations. For example, a worker at a firststation may install the jet inserts and jet bodies on the hot tub shellas well as installing any pumps and/or valves on the hot tub shelland/or hot tub frame. A worker at a second station may cut the dualextrusion tubing to predetermined lengths and attach the jet backs tothe tubing using a clamp. A worker at the second station may also attacha second end of each length of dual extrusion tubing to the manifolds.In some examples, a worker at the second station may use a lubricant(e.g. soapy water) to make it easier to slide the dual extrusion tubingover the ports.

A worker at a third station may cut the supply pipes to the appropriatelengths and affix (using glue or primer) each end of the supply pipes toappropriate adapters. For example, a male adapter may be used to couplethe supply pipe to a manifold, while a female adapter may be used tocouple the supply pipe to the air and/or water sources. These adaptersmay be specially configured to interface with the specialized manifoldscontemplated by the present teachings, as described in detail below.Since only the connection between the supply pipes and the adaptersrequires glue or primer, the amount of glue and primer used in theinstallation process is greatly decreased in comparison with currentmethods. Moreover, only one station (in this example, the third station)may need to use the glue and primer; this may reduce the number orworkers exposed to the glue and primer, and may facilitate ventilationand other safety procedures.

A worker at a fourth station might install the pipes and tubing on thehot tub. This may involve using the “press-and-click” method describedabove to couple the supply pipes to the appropriate source, couple theother end of the supply pipes to a first manifold, couple the manifoldstogether, couple an end cap onto the last manifold, and couple the jetbacks to the jet bodies. The use of a universal “press-and-click” methodon all the components may greatly increase the efficiency of theassembly process while significantly reducing the potential formistakes.

Thus, the hot tub plumbing systems of the present disclosure may resultin a significant improvement over prior art, for example by decreasingthe amount of labor involved during installation, decreasing thereliance on glue, and providing a simple method of simultaneouslydelivering separate streams of air and water with reduction in thelikelihood of mistakes during assembly.

Various aspects and examples of a hot tub plumbing system configured tosimultaneously deliver both air and water to each jet and havingcomponents configured to be assembled in a universal “press-and-click”method, as well as related methods, are described below and illustratedin the associated drawings. Unless otherwise specified, a hot tubplumbing system and/or its various components may, but are not requiredto, contain at least one of the structures, components, functionalities,and/or variations described, illustrated, and/or incorporated herein.Furthermore, unless specifically excluded, the process steps,structures, components, functionalities, and/or variations described,illustrated, and/or incorporated herein in connection with the presentteachings may be included in other similar devices and methods,including being interchangeable between disclosed embodiments. Thefollowing description of various examples is merely illustrative innature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, itsapplication, or uses. Additionally, the advantages provided by theexamples and embodiments described below are illustrative in nature andnot all examples and embodiments provide the same advantages or the samedegree of advantages.

Definitions

The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.

“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particulardimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term,such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example,a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles acylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.Similarly, “substantially parallel” structures are structures that aregenerally parallel, but that could have slight deviations from parallel,for instance due to manufacturing tolerances or slight assemblymisalignments.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) areused interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to,and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, unrecitedelements or method steps.

Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish oridentify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intendedto show serial or numerical limitation.

“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whetherdirectly or indirectly through intervening components.

“Hot tub” and “hot tub plumbing system” are used throughout thisdisclosure to mean any equipment that uses jets to provide mixed streamsof air and water. This includes not only conventional spas, but alsoswim spas, therapy pools and the like.

“In fluid communication” is used to describe parts which are coupled(whether directly or indirectly through intervening components) in sucha way that a fluid, liquid, gas, and/or any other suitable substancecapable of flowing, running, and/or moving in a fluid manner can movefreely between the parts. Parts may be in direct fluid communication,wherein the substance can move directly from one part to the otherand/or vice versa. Parts also may be in indirect fluid communication,wherein the substance can move from one part to an intermediate part orparts and from the intermediate parts or parts to the second part and/orvice versa.

Terms such as “upstream” and “downstream” are used to indicate arelative position and/or orientation with respect to the principal orexpected direction of flow of fluid, liquid, gas, and/or other suitablesubstance. For example, an “upstream end” of an object is the end of theobject that a moving fluid encounters first when the fluid is flowing inan expected direction, whereas a “downstream end” of the object is theend of the object that a moving fluid encounters last when the fluid isflowing in an expected direction.

Overview

In general, a hot tub plumbing system according to the present teachingsmay include jet inserts, jet bodies, and jet backs (which collectivelymay be referred to as a “jet assembly”), manifolds, manifold adapters,and manifold end caps (which collectively may be referred to as a“manifold assembly”), clamps, and/or dual extrusion tubing that carriesboth air and water. These components may be used together in anintegrated plumbing system that provides numerous advantages over moreconventional hot tub plumbing systems.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative block diagram of an exemplary hot tub,generally indicated at 100, having an improved plumbing system. Hot tub100 includes a hot tub frame 102 which contains and supports a hot tubshell 104 and the plumbing system which provides air and water to hottub shell 104. Hot tub shell 104 may also be referred to as a hot tubbody or a hot tub body portion. The plumbing system of hot tub 100includes a water supply 106 which connects with a valve 108. Valve 108is connected to an adapter 110 via a pipe 112. Water supply 106, valve108, and pipe 112 may include any suitable structures configured toprovide water to adapter 110.

In some examples, pipe 112 may be a 2-inch pipe configured to carrywater from valve 108 to adapter 110. In some examples, water supply 106may include a water pump, a heating system, and/or a filtering system.In some examples, water supply 106 may receive water from a drain orwater output structure of hot tub shell 104 such that hot tub 100recycles water, for example, by passing it through a heating and/orfiltering system. In some examples, valve 108 may be directly coupled towater supply 106. In some examples, valve 108 may be coupled indirectlyto water supply 106 via a length of pipe and/or an adapter.

Hot tub 100 also includes an air supply 114 and air tubing 116 whichconnects air supply 114 to adapter 110. Air supply 114 and air tubing116 may include any suitable structures configured to provide air toadapter 110. In some examples, hot tub 100 may use environmental air andair supply 114 may include a vent to the exterior of hot tub 100, suchthat air for the air supply is drawn in through the vent by negativepressure. In some examples, air supply 114 may include a vent configuredto have a variable opening, the size of which may be adjusted by a userto control the ratio of air and water delivered by the jets of the hottub.

Adapter 110 couples with a first of one or more manifolds 118. Each ofthe one or more manifolds 118 connects with a length of tubing 120 whichin turn connects with a jet back 122. Each jet back 122 couples to a jetbody 124, and each jet body 124 couples to hot tub shell 104 and a jetinsert 126. Additionally, or alternatively, the jet insert may bereferred to as a jet face. In some examples, jet body 124 may couple tohot tub shell 104 and jet insert 126 may couple to a portion of jet body124 that is disposed inside hot tub shell 104. In some examples, jetinsert 126 may couple to hot tub shell 104 and jet body 124 may coupleto a portion of jet insert 126 that is disposed outside hot tub shell104. In some examples, jet body 124 and jet insert 126 couple togetherto form a unit, or are integrally formed as a single component, whichcouples to hot tub shell 104. In some examples, tubing 120 may be dualextrusion tubing which has two separate passages, for air and waterrespectively. In some examples, tubing 120 may include separate lengthsof tubing for air and water.

Adapter 110 separately provides air and water to the first of one ormore manifolds 118. Each of the one or more manifolds 118 simultaneouslymay pass a first portion of the air and water as separate streams toanother downstream component while allowing a second portion of the airand water to pass as separate streams to tubing 120 and thence to a jetback 122. Additionally, or alternatively, the separate air and waterstreams may be referred to as separate air and water supply streams. Insome examples, coupling manifold 118 to tubing 120 may include using aclamp.

In some examples, manifold 118 passes the first portion of the air andwater to another manifold. In some examples, manifold 118 passes thefirst portion of air and water to an adapter 128. Adapter 128 may coupleto another length of pipe (similar to pipe 112), another adapter 110,and/or another manifold 118. Adapter 128 may couple to a length of pipein cases where multiple clusters of manifolds 118 are needed, in whichcase the same water and air supplies may provide water and air to all ofthe different sets of manifolds. In some examples, it may beadvantageous to have a plurality of clusters of manifolds spaced out atdifferent portions of hot tub 100 to better reach each jet with theleast amount of tubing. Any suitable number of manifolds grouped in anysuitable number and/or size of clusters may be used.

An end cap 130 may be coupled with at least one of the one or moremanifolds 118. In some examples, end cap 130 may be coupled with a lastmanifold 118 to end the flow of air and water and to ensure the plumbingsystem is sealed. In some examples, only one cluster of manifolds may beused and the last manifold may be coupled with end cap 130. In someexamples, hot tub 100 may include several groups and/or clusters ofmanifolds and the manifold at the end of the last cluster may be coupledwith end cap 130. In some cases, a separate end cap may not be required.For example, one of manifolds 118 or adapters 128 may be formed withintegral caps or seals.

Each section of tubing 120 may provide separate streams of air and waterto a jet back 122. In some examples, coupling tubing 120 to jet back 122may include using a clamp. Jet back 122 provides separate streams of airand water to jet body 124. In some examples, jet body 124 may beconfigured to merge the streams of air and water before delivering theair and water mixture to hot tub shell 104 via jet insert 126. In someexamples, jet body 124 may include a nozzle formed as an integral partof jet body 124. In some examples, a separate nozzle may be press-fitinto jet body 124. In some examples, jet insert 126 may include a flowdirector. In some examples, jet insert 126 may be visible to a userinside hot tub shell 104 and may include decorative portions.

In some examples, some of the components of hot tub 100 may beconfigured to be able to be coupled together when aligned by beingcompressed together to overcome a resistive force. As described above,the present disclosure uses “press-and-click” to refer to a connectionmechanism in which two components may be fastened or engaged together byapplying axial compressive forces to overcome a spring bias or otherresistive force, after which the components are locked together in somefashion. This is distinct from prior art hot tub plumbing systems inwhich fastening the plumbing components together typically requiresgluing and press fitting to make a secure connection. In some examples,a “press-and-click” assembly method may be facilitated by features ofthe components such as spring-biased clips, retaining features, andO-rings.

In some examples, two components locked together by a “press-and-click”method may be able to be unlocked and/or uncoupled. In other words, a“press-and-click” method may include releasably coupling two components.Releasably coupling components together may be advantageous as it may,for example, allow a worker to uncouple components that were coupledtogether by mistake, or for the purpose of replacing damaged ordefective components.

In some examples, adapter 110 may be configured to couple to manifold118 by the glueless “press-and-click” method. In some examples, each ofone or more manifolds 118 may be configured to couple to other manifolds118 and/or adapters 110 and 128 by the glueless “press-and-click”method. In some examples, end cap 130 may be configured to couple tomanifolds 118 by the glueless “press-and-click” method. In someexamples, adapter 110, each of one or more manifolds 118, adapter 128,and/or end cap 130 may be configured to be coupled togetherinterchangeably such that any number of components may be used in anysuitable order.

In some examples, jet back 122 and jet body 124 may be configured to becoupled together by the glueless “press-and-click” method. In someexamples, jet body 124 and jet insert 126 may be configured to becoupled together by the glueless “press-and-click” method. In someexamples, jet body 124 and jet insert 126 may be configured to bereleasably coupled together without the use of glue and/or by, forexample, aligning the components and rotating one with respect to theother. For example, rotating the jet body with respect to the jet insertmay engage hooks within each of the components.

Examples, Components, and Alternatives

The following sections describe selected aspects of exemplary hot tubplumbing systems as well as related systems and/or methods. The examplesin these sections are intended for illustration and should not beinterpreted as limiting the entire scope of the present disclosure. Eachsection may include one or more distinct embodiments or examples, and/orcontextual or related information, function, and/or structure.

A. Illustrative Jet Assembly

As shown in FIGS. 4-30, this section describes a jet assembly 200according to aspects of the present teachings. Additionally, oralternatively, a jet assembly may be referred to as a jet. Jet assembly200 includes a jet back 202, a jet body 204, and a jet insert 206, whichare respectively examples of jet back 122, jet body 124, and jet insert126 described above more generally. Additionally or alternatively, thejet insert may be referred to as a jet face. In some embodiments, jetassembly 200 may further include a nozzle 208.

Overview

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative jet assembly, generallyindicated at 200, having a jet back 202, a jet body 204, and a jetinsert 206. Jet assembly 200 may include any suitable structuresconfigured to couple tubing 120 with hot tub shell 104 such that tubing120 is in fluid communication with the interior of hot tub shell 104.For example, jet assembly 200 may include a jet back which couples totubing 120 and to a jet body; the jet body may couple to hot tub shell104 and/or a jet insert. In some examples, jet assembly 200 may mergeseparate streams of air and water before passing the air and watermixture to hot tub shell 104. Tubing 120 and hot tub shell 104 are alsoschematically depicted in FIG. 4. Nozzle 208 is depicted in dashed linesto indicate that it may be included in some, but not all, embodiments.

Jet back 202 may include any suitable structure configured to couplewith tubing 120, receive streams of air and water from tubing 120,releasably couple with jet body 204, and pass the streams of air andwater to jet body 204. For example, jet back 202 may include a wateringress port and an air ingress port which together form a set ofingress ports. In some examples, jet back 202 may further include acentral portion configured to couple to and form a water tight seal withjet body 204. In some examples, the set of ingress ports may beconfigured to couple with dual extrusion tubing. In some examples, theset of ingress ports of jet back 202 may be configured to couple withseparate lengths of tubing for air and for water. In some examples,coupling jet back 202 with tubing 120 may include the use of one or moreclamps.

Jet body 204 may include any suitable structure configured to couplewith jet back 202, to couple with jet insert 206 and/or hot tub shell104, and to pass the air and water (either mixed or as separate streams)to hot tub shell 104. Jet body 204 may be further configured to form awater tight seal with jet back 202. In some examples, forming a watertight seal with jet back 202 may include the use of one or more O-rings.In some examples, jet body 204 may be further configured to merge theseparate streams of air and water. In some examples, jet bodies 204having different dimensions may be used to couple with jet inserts 206having various sizes and/or styles.

Jet insert 206 may include any suitable structure configured to couplewith jet body 204 and/or hot tub shell 104, and to pass the mix of airand water to the interior of hot tub shell 104. In some examples, someor all of jet insert 206 may be visible from the interior of hot tubshell 104 and/or jet insert 206 may further include decorative portionsor features. In some examples, jet insert 206 may include a flowdirector which may be configured to increase the speed of and/or changethe direction of the air and water mixture.

Any suitable method of coupling jet body 204 and jet insert 206 togetherand affixing the combination to hot tub shell 104 may be used. In someexamples, jet body 204 attaches to hot tub shell 104 and jet insert 206couples to a portion of jet body 204 which is disposed within hot tubshell 104 (this example is schematically depicted by solid lines in FIG.4). In some examples, jet insert 206 attaches to hot tub shell 104 andjet body 204 couples to a portion of jet insert 206 which is disposedoutside hot tub shell 104 (this example is schematically depicted bydashed line 210 in FIG. 4). In some examples, both jet body 204 and jetinsert 206 may be attached to hot tub shell 104 as well as coupledtogether.

In some examples, jet assembly 200 may further include nozzle 208.Nozzle 208 may include any suitable structure for increasing the speedof the water, controlling the direction of the water, and/or merging thestreams of air and water. In some examples, nozzle 208 may include aseparate piece which is press-fit into jet body 204. In some examples,nozzle 208 may include a structure formed as an integral part of jetback 202 and/or jet body 204. In some examples, nozzle 208 may beomitted.

In some examples, some of the components of jet assembly 200 may beconfigured to be able to be coupled together when aligned by beingcompressed together to overcome a resistive force. As described above,the present disclosure uses “press-and-click” to refer to a connectionmechanism in which two components may be fastened or engaged together byapplying axial compressive forces to overcome a spring bias or otherresistive force, after which the components are locked together in somefashion.

More specifically, in some examples, jet back 202 and jet body 204 maybe configured to be coupled together by a glueless “press-and-click”method. In some examples, attachment structures such as spring biasedclips and retaining features may be used to facilitate a“press-and-click” method of assembly. Additionally, or alternatively,features such as O-rings may be used to ensure a water tight sealbetween components.

Similarly, in some examples, jet body 204 and jet insert 206 may beconfigured to be coupled together by the glueless “press-and-click”method. In some examples, jet body 204 and jet insert 206 may beconfigured to be coupled together without the use of glue and/or by amechanism other than a “press-and-click” method. For example, jet body204 and jet insert 206 may be configured to be coupled together by amethod which includes aligning the components and rotating one withrespect to the other. In some examples, rotating jet body 204 withrespect to jet insert 206 may engage attachment structures such as hookswithin each of the components.

This section includes a description of various possible embodiments ofjet assembly 200, according to aspects of the present teachings. Aperson of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that otherembodiments or variations are possible within the scope of the presentteachings.

First Straight Back Embodiment

FIGS. 5 through 19 depict a first embodiment 300 of general jet assembly200, which includes a straight back jet back. In the present teachings,a jet assembly may sometimes be referred to simply as a “jet.” The firstembodiment of jet assembly 200 is generally indicated at 300 andincludes a jet back 302, a jet body 304, and a nozzle 308. Jet assembly300 also may include a jet insert, or jet face (not shown).Additionally, or alternatively, jet back 302 may be referred to as astraight back jet back or a straight jet back. Jet back 302 is anexample of jet back 202 described above, jet body 304 is an example ofjet body 204 described above, a compatible jet insert would be anexample of jet insert 206 described above, and nozzle 308 is an exampleof nozzle 208 described above.

FIGS. 5-19 show various views of straight back jet 300 and componentsthereof.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded sectional view of jet 300. FIG. 5 depictsillustrative embodiments of jet back 302, jet body 304, and nozzle 308.FIG. 6 is a partially assembled isometric view of straight jet assembly300 in which nozzle 308 is press fit into jet body 304. FIG. 7 depicts afully assembled isometric view of straight jet 300. FIG. 8 is asectional view of a fully assembled straight back jet assembly 300 anddepicts how the components of straight jet assembly 300 fit together.FIG. 9 depicts an isometric view of jet back 302. FIG. 10 is a sideisometric view of nozzle 308, and FIG. 11 is a rear isometric view ofnozzle 308. FIG. 12 depicts nozzle 308 press fit into jet body 304 andthe O-rings installed on jet body 304. FIG. 13 is a front isometric viewof jet body 304. As discussed below, FIGS. 14-19 depict various views ofalternate embodiments of jet body 304. Note that FIGS. 5-19 do not showa jet insert. However, as discussed in greater detail below, jet body304 is configured to couple with one or more jet inserts (e.g., see jetinsert 506 in FIG. 22).

As seen in FIG. 5, straight back jet assembly 300 includes jet back 302,nozzle 308, jet body 304, and may include a jet insert (not shown). Jetback 302 includes two parallel ingress ports: a water ingress port 310and an air ingress port 312. Water ingress port 310 is larger than airingress port 312 and is substantially centered on a longitudinal axis314 of the jet back. Additionally, or alternatively, the water ingressport may be referred to as a water barb. Water ingress port 310 includesa lip or ridge 316 as can best be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. Lip 316 mayinclude any suitable structure configured to ensure a water tight sealbetween water ingress port 310 and a length of tubing (such as tubing120). For example, lip 316 may include a sloped ridge as can best beseen in FIGS. 6 and 7. Air ingress port 312 is parallel to water ingressport 310 and is offset from the center of jet back 302. Additionally, oralternatively, the air ingress port may be referred to as an air barb.In some examples, air ingress port 312 may include a lip or otherfeature to ensure a seal. In some examples, an external portion of airingress port 312 may be smooth, as can best be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-9, jet back 302 is configured tocouple with dual extrusion tubing having two parallel passages joined ata periphery (examples of dual extrusion tubing are discussed in moredetail below). In some examples, jet back 302 may be configured tocouple with any other suitable kind of tubing. For example, jet back 302may be configured to couple with two separate lengths of tubing, onewhich carries air and one which carries water. In some examples,configuring jet back 302 to couple with different kinds of tubing mayinclude changing the spacing between the air and water ingress portsand/or the dimensions for the air and water ingress ports.

Jet back 302 further includes a central portion 318 configured to createa water tight seal with jet body 304. Central portion 318 is in directfluid communication with water ingress port 310 and air ingress port 312and may include any suitable shape depending on the application and onthe characteristics of the jet body. For example, central portion 318may be substantially cylindrical as can best be seen in FIGS. 6, 7, and9. In some examples, central portion 318 may be substantiallyrectangular or substantially triangular. Jet body 304 includes anupstream portion 320 and a downstream portion 322.

Upstream portion 320 may include any suitable structure configured to beat least partially disposed within central portion 318 of the jet back.For example, as can be best seen in FIGS. 6, 7, and 12, upstream portion320 may be substantially cylindrical. In some examples, downstreamportion 322 may have substantially the same cross-section as upstreamportion 320. For example, downstream portion 322 may be substantiallycylindrical as in FIGS. 6, 7, and 12. Downstream portion 322 may furtherinclude any suitable structure configured to engage with hot tub shell104 and/or a jet insert 206. For example, downstream portion 322 mayinclude a flange 324. Downstream portion 322 will be discussed infurther detail below.

Jet back 302 includes an attachment mechanism extending from a first end326 of central portion 318 and configured to attach the jet back to jetbody 304 in a secure manner. The attachment mechanism may include anysuitable structure depending on the characteristics of the jet body andthe jet back. For example, a plurality of spring biased clips 328 may beconfigured to couple with a retaining feature, such as a groove 330, onjet body 304. In some examples, groove 330 may be formed as part ofupstream portion 320 and/or may be disposed between upstream portion 320and downstream portion 322. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-9, jetback 302 includes four spring biased clips 328 (see, for example, FIG.6). Spring biased clips 328 may include a resiliently flexible support332 and a sloped lip 334 which is configured to engage with groove 330.Groove 330 may include any suitable structure and jet back 302 mayinclude any suitable number and/or shape of spring biased clips 328 orother similar structures configured to couple with groove 330 in acomplementary manner.

In some examples, the attachment mechanism may be configured to couplejet back 302 to jet body 304 while allowing jet back 302 to rotaterelative to jet body 304. In other words, in some examples, jet back 302may able to rotate about longitudinal axis 314 when coupled to jet body304 while maintaining a water-tight and air-tight seal; this may allow aworker to prevent adjacent jet assemblies from interfering with eachother, by rotating them as needed.

In addition to groove 330, jet body 304 includes recesses 336 configuredto contain one or more O-rings 338. Recesses 336 may include anysuitable structure for retaining O-rings 338 depending on thecharacteristics of the jet back, the jet body, and the O-rings. Forexample, recesses 336 may include narrow channels disposed on upstreamportion 320, such as those shown, for example, in FIG. 13. In someexamples, recesses 336 may be configured such that the outside edge ofthe O-ring is flush with or extends slightly beyond the surface of theupstream portion of the jet body as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 12.Allowing the O-ring to extend slightly beyond the surface of the jetbody may ensure a water tight seal by compressing the O-ring slightlybetween an inner surface of the central portion of the jet back and thebottom and sides of recesses 336. In some examples, jet body 304includes two recesses 336 to accommodate two O-rings 338 as in FIGS. 5-8and 12. In some examples, jet body 304 may include some other suitablenumber of O-rings disposed in a similar number of recesses.

As can be seen in FIG. 9, jet back 302 also includes a spacing mechanismconfigured to ensure sufficient space between a proximate end 340 ofupstream portion 320 of jet body 304 and an inner wall 342 of jet back302. The spacing mechanism may include any suitable structure dependingon the characteristics of the jet body and the jet back. For example, aplurality of spacers 344 may be disposed on inner wall 342 andconfigured to prevent proximate end 340 of the jet body from becomingflush with inner wall 342. In some examples, spacers 344 may berectangular blocks formed as an integral part of jet back 302. In theexample shown in FIG. 5, jet back 302 includes four spacers 344. In someexamples, jet back 302 may include any other suitable number of spacers344, or a continuous spacer.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-12, nozzle 308 is formed as aseparate piece from the jet back and the jet body and is configured tobe press fit into the jet body. In this embodiment, nozzle 308 includesa main body 346 and a conical portion 348. Main body 346 may include anysuitable structure depending on the characteristics of the jet body. Forexample, main body 346 may include a hollow, substantially cylindricaltube as best seen in FIGS. 10-11. Conical portion 348 may include anysuitable structure depending on the application and the characteristicsof the jet body and the jet back.

For example, conical portion 348 may taper from a larger, round firstaperture 350 to a smaller, round second aperture 352 as seen in FIG. 11.In some examples, conical portion 348 may include a constant-diameter,annular flange 354 attached to first aperture 350. Nozzle 308 furtherincludes support structures 356. Support structures 356 may include anysuitable structure configured to connect conical portion 348 with mainbody 346, depending on the application and the characteristics of themain body and the conical portion of the nozzle. For example, supportstructures 356 may include a plurality of substantially rectangularsupport struts as can be seen in FIGS. 10-11. In some examples, nozzle308 may include four support structures 356.

In this embodiment, nozzle 308 is configured to be press-fit into jetbody 304. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 12, main body 346 is configured to fitat least partially within a main cavity 358 of jet body 304. Forexample, an outer diameter of main body 346 may be very close to theinner diameter of main cavity 358 to ensure a secure fit. In someexamples, main body 346 may have a slight taper to create a wedge fitbetween nozzle 308 and main cavity 358. Main cavity 358 may be primarilydisposed within upstream portion 320. As seen in FIG. 8, conical portion348 is configured to fit within a recessed portion 360 of inner wall 342when jet back 302 is coupled with jet body 304. Support structures 356may be further configured to leave gaps 362 between the conical portion348, main body 346, and support structures 356. When jet back 302 iscoupled to jet body 304, water from water ingress port 310 may be passedthrough first aperture 350 and second aperture 352 while air from airingress port 312 may be passed into an air chamber 364 and through gaps362. The air and water may mix in main cavity 358 of the jet body and/orwithin the main body 346 of the nozzle before passing through a mainaperture 366 of the jet body.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show isometric views of the jet body 304 of the currentembodiment. Main aperture 366 connects main cavity 358 with a receivingchamber 368. Receiving chamber 368 is primarily disposed withindownstream portion 322 and may include any suitable structure forreceiving at least a portion of a jet insert. For example, receivingchamber 368 may include a substantially cylindrical cavity as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13. In some examples, receiving chamber 368 may include arectangular and/or triangular cavity.

A plurality of hooks 370 are disposed inside of receiving chamber 368.Hooks 370 may include any suitable structure for engaging a jet insert.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, hooks 370 include an approximatelyU-shaped structure wherein one side is shorter than the other. In someexamples, hooks 370 may include an approximately L-shaped structure. Ajet insert having similarly shaped teeth may be inserted into thereceiving cavity such that the hooks and teeth are offset and rotateduntil the hooks and teeth engage. Jet body 304 may include any suitablenumber of hooks 370. For example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 13includes two hooks 370. In some examples, receiving chamber 368 mayinclude other suitable structures for coupling to and suitablypositioning a jet insert with respect to jet body 304.

A jet insert may include any suitable structure configured to pass amixture of air and water to the interior of hot tub body 104. In someexamples, some or all of the jet insert may be visible from the interiorof hot tub body 104 and/or the jet insert may include decorativeportions. In some examples, the jet insert may include any suitablestructures configured to manipulate the speed, direction, and/or otherproperties of the stream of air and water. For example, the jet insertmay include a flow director and/or a rotating nozzle.

Jet assembly 300 may include, or be compatible with, multiple versionsof a jet insert. For example, a plurality of different jet inserts maybe configured to couple with jet body 304. In other words, the samestyle of jet body may be installed in multiple places on a hot tub 100and different styles of jet insert may be coupled to each jet bodydepending on the location within the hot tub and desired application.Different jet inserts may be chosen, for example, to provide differentflow characteristics and/or for decorative reasons.

Additionally, or alternatively, jet assembly 300 may include, or becompatible with, multiple versions of jet body 304. For example, aplurality of different sizes and/or styles of jet body 304 may beconfigured to couple with a single style of jet back 302. Each versionof jet body 304 may be configured to couple with one or more versions ofthe jet insert. In other words, a variety of styles of jet body may beinstalled in multiple places on a hot tub 100 and different styles ofjet insert may be coupled to each jet body depending on the locationwithin the hot tub and the features of the jet body. Different jetbodies may be used, for example, to provide different flowcharacteristics or to couple with different styles of jet inserts.

As discussed above, FIGS. 12-13 depict a first style of jet body 304.FIGS. 14-19 depict three other styles of jet body 304 indicated at 304a, 304 b, and 304 c respectively. With the exception of the diameter ofdownstream portion 322 and certain features of receiving chamber 368,jet bodies 304 a, 304 b, and 304 c are substantially similar to jet body304. Accordingly, similar features will be denoted with similarreference numbers and will not be discussed here. Features of receivingchamber 368, such as hooks 370, may differ between jet bodies 304, 304a, 304 b, and 304 c to best couple and position a suitable version ofthe jet insert within each jet body. Jet body 304 and the jet insert mayinclude any suitable structures configured to couple the jet body andjet insert together. For example, jet body 304 and the jet insert may becoupled together using hooks, clips, threaded engagement, and/or anyother suitable method. While jet bodies 304, 304 a, 304 b and 304 b aredescribed below as have particular dimensions, according to the presentteachings, a jet body may have any suitable dimensions for a particularapplication

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 12-13, downstream portion 322 of jetbody 304 has a maximum diameter of approximately 1.9 inches. Jet body304 includes additional protrusions 374 disposed on an inner wall 372 ofreceiving chamber 368. As shown in FIG. 13, jet body 304 includes twosubstantially rectangular protrusions 374. Protrusions 374 may be usedas a spacing mechanism to ensure sufficient space between a proximateend of a jet insert and inner wall 372 of receiving chamber 368.Additionally, flange 324 on downstream portion 322 includes a channel376.

Jet body 304 a is shown in FIGS. 14-15 and includes a downstream portion322 having a maximum diameter of approximately 2.7 inches. Jet body 304a includes two hooks 370. Jet body 304 a further includes an annularflange 378 disposed adjacent main aperture 366 and two slots 380disposed on flange 324. Annular flange 378 and slots 380 may beconfigured to facilitate coupling with and positioning a jet insert inconjunction with hooks 370.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show jet body 304 b. Jet body 304 b includes adownstream portion 322 having a maximum diameter of approximately 3.2inches. Jet body 304 b includes four hooks 370 and a flange 324. Flange324 includes a channel 376 and four slots 380 disposed within channel376.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show jet body 304 c. Jet body 304 c includes adownstream portion 322 having a maximum diameter of approximately 4.5inches. Jet body 304 c includes a flange 324 and four spring biasedclips 382 configured to engage with a suitable style of jet insert.

Each of jet body 304, jet body 304 a, jet body 304 b, and jet body 304 cmay be used and installed in hot tub shell 104 in substantially the sameway or similar ways. Further, each style of jet body may couple withnozzle 308 and jet back 302 in a substantially similar way.

During installation, jet assembly 300 may be assembled in multiple stepsand/or at multiple stations. A first assembly step may include pressfitting nozzle 308 into main cavity 358 of jet body 304 (see FIG. 12)and coupling the air and water ingress ports of jet back 302 with tubing120, which may be dual extrusion tubing. In some examples, press-fittingnozzle 308 into main cavity 358 may include using a lubricant (forexample, soapy water). In some examples, press-fitting nozzle 308 intomain cavity 358 may include the application of an adhesive and/orprimer.

Coupling the air and water ingress ports of jet back 302 with tubing 120may include any suitable process and/or structure. For example, tubing120 may be slid over the ends of the air and water ingress ports of jetback 302 and a clamp (described in more detail below) may be used toprevent the tubing from sliding off. In some examples, a lubricant(e.g., soapy water) may be used to facilitate sliding the tubing overthe ingress ports. In some examples, tubing 120 may include dualextrusion tubing. In some examples, tubing 120 may include separate airand water tubes which may be installed one at a time on the air andwater ingress ports respectively.

Another step in assembling jet assembly 300 may include installing jetbody 304 and a jet insert in hot tub shell 104. For example, jet body304 (with nozzle 308) may be inserted into a hole formed in the shell ofhot tub shell 104. Jet body 304 may be inserted from the interior of hottub shell 104 and may be secured to hot tub shell 104 by any suitablemechanism configured to be water tight and secure. For example, jet body304 may attach to hot tub shell 104 via threaded engagement, glue,press-fitting, and/or any other suitable attachment mechanism. In someexamples, attaching jet body 304 to hot tub shell 104 may includethreading the jet body into the hot tub shell and/or the use of acompressive gasket.

A jet insert may be coupled to jet body 304 from the interior of hot tubshell 104 after jet body 304 has been installed in hot tub shell 104. Asdiscussed above, jet body 304 is configured to securely couple with andposition a jet insert. In some examples, jet body 304 and/or the jetinsert may be installed from the exterior of hot tub shell 104. In someexamples, jet body 304 and the jet insert may couple together through ahole in the hot tub shell, thereby attaching both parts to the hot tubshell. In some cases, coupling the jet body and the jet insert togethermay partially or entirely fix the jet assembly in place relative to thehot tub shell.

The installation of jet assembly 300 further includes coupling jet back302 (which is attached to tubing 120) to jet body 304 (which includesnozzle 308 and is attached to hot tub shell 104 and a jet insert). Jetback 302 may be coupled with jet body 304 by a “press-and-click” method(described above). For example, jet back 302 and jet body 304 may bealigned and then compressed together to overcome the resistive force ofspring biased clips 328. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-19, springbiased clips 328 are configured to flex outward, away from a defaultposition (e.g., away from longitudinal axis 314), when sloped lip 334slides over proximate end 340 of jet body 304 and along an externalportion of upstream portion 320. Spring biased clips 328 are furtherconfigured to snap back into the default position (e.g., back towardslongitudinal axis 314) when sloped lip 334 encounters groove 330 of jetbody 304. Sloped lip 334 engages with groove 330 and prevents springbiased clips 328, and thus jet back 302, from sliding towards proximateend 340 and off of jet body 304. Thus, jet back 302 and jet body 304 arecoupled together.

In some examples, jet back 302 and jet body 304 may be configured to beable to be unlocked and/or uncoupled. Uncoupling jet back 302 from jetbody 304 may be accomplished by moving spring biased clips 328 away fromjet body 304 (e.g., away from longitudinal axis 314) and sliding the jetback off of the jet body. In some examples, a worker may accomplish thisusing a finger to move the spring biased clips and/or using a tool.Releasably coupling the jet back and the jet body together may beadvantageous as it may, among other advantages, allow a worker touncouple a jet back that was coupled to the wrong jet body by mistake.

Each of the components of jet assembly 300 (e.g., jet back 302, jet body304, a jet insert, and nozzle 308) may be constructed out of anysuitable material. For example, the components of jet assembly 300 mayinclude any suitable thermoplastic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride(PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and/or any other suitablematerials having similar properties (i.e., stiffness etc.). Thecomponents of jet assembly 300 may be manufactured using any suitableprocess. For example, the manufacturing process may include the use ofinjection molding, compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. Insome examples, each component may be injection molded out of PVC.

Second Straight Back Embodiment

FIGS. 20-21 depict a second embodiment 400 of a general jet assembly200, which also includes a straight back jet back. The second embodimentof jet assembly 200 is generally indicated at 400 and includes a jetback 402, a jet body 404, and also may include a jet insert (or jetface). A nozzle 408 includes a structure formed as an integral part ofjet back 402. Additionally, or alternatively, jet back 402 may bereferred to as a straight back jet back or a straight jet back. Jet back402 is an example of jet back 202 described above, jet body 404 is anexample of jet body 204 described above, and a suitable jet insert wouldbe an example of jet insert 206 described above. Many of the features ofsecond embodiment 400 of jet assembly 200 are the same as in firstembodiment 300. Accordingly, similar components may be labeled withsimilar reference numbers and only an abbreviated discussion of suchfeatures will be provided here. The differences between the embodimentsare described in detail below.

FIGS. 20-21 show various views of straight back jet 400 and componentsthereof. FIG. 20 depicts a partially exploded view of straight back jetassembly 400. FIG. 21 is a front view of jet back 402 of straight backjet assembly 400. Note that FIGS. 20-21 do not show a jet insert.However, as discussed, jet body 404 is configured to couple with asuitable jet insert, and various styles of jet insert may be compatiblewith jet body 404 and configured to provide desired ornamental andfunctional features.

As seen in FIG. 20, straight back jet assembly 400 includes jet back402, nozzle 408, jet body 404, and a jet insert (not shown). As with jet300, jet back 402 includes two parallel ingress ports: a water ingressport 410 and an air ingress port 412. Water ingress port 410 issubstantially centered on a longitudinal axis 414 of the jet back andincludes a lip or ridge 416 as can best be seen in FIG. 20. Air ingressport 412 is parallel to water ingress port 410 and is offset from thecenter of jet back 402.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20-21, jet back 402—similar to jet back302—is configured to couple with dual extrusion tubing having twoparallel passages joined at a periphery (examples of dual extrusiontubing are discussed in more detail below). In some examples, jet back402 may be configured to couple with any other suitable kind of tubing.Similar to jet back 302, jet back 402 further includes a central portion418 configured to create a water tight seal with jet body 404. Centralportion 418 is in direct fluid communication with water ingress port 410and air ingress port 412 and may include any suitable shape depending onthe application and on the characteristics of the jet body. In thisembodiment, central portion 418 is substantially cylindrical as can bestbe seen in FIGS. 20 and 21.

As in the previous embodiment, jet body 404 includes an upstream portion420 and a downstream portion 422 wherein the upstream portion isconfigured to be at least partially disposed within central portion 418of jet back 402. Jet back 402 includes an attachment mechanism extendingfrom a first end 426 of central portion 418 and configured to couple thejet back to jet body 404 in a secure manner. The attachment mechanism,like the attachment mechanism for jet 300, includes a plurality ofspring biased clips 428 which are configured to couple with a retainingfeature, such as a groove 430, on jet body 404. In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 20-21, jet back 402 includes four spring biased clips 428 (asbest seen in FIG. 21). In some examples, spring biased clips 428 mayinclude a resiliently flexible support 432 and a sloped lip 434 which isconfigured to engage with groove 430.

In some examples, the attachment mechanism may be configured to couplejet back 402 to jet body 404 while allowing jet back 402 to rotaterelative to jet body 404. In other words, in some examples, jet back 402may able to rotate about longitudinal axis 414 when coupled to jet body404 while maintaining a water- and air-tight seal; this may allow aworker to prevent adjacent jet assemblies from interfering with eachother.

Similar to jet body 304, jet body 404 includes two recesses 436 disposedon upstream portion 420 and configured to contain one or more O-rings438, such as those shown in FIG. 20. Recesses 436 may be configured suchthat the outside edge of the O-ring is flush with or extends slightlybeyond the surface of the upstream portion of the jet body as shown inFIG. 20. As best seen in FIG. 21, jet back 402 also includes a spacingmechanism configured to ensure sufficient space between a proximate end440 of upstream portion 420 of jet body 404 and an inner wall 442 of jetback 402. In the example shown in FIG. 21, jet back 402 includes fourspacers 444 disposed on inner wall 442 and formed as an integral part ofjet back 402.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20-21, nozzle 408 is a structure formedas an integral part of jet back 402. Nozzle 408 may include any suitablestructure formed as part of jet back 402 and configured to change thedirection and/or speed of the stream of water. As can best be seen inFIG. 21, inner wall 442 of jet back 402 includes a conical portion 446narrowing to a first aperture 448. Water ingress port 410 extends from asubstantially cylindrical portion to a conical cavity 450 which tapersto first aperture 448. In some examples, conical cavity 450 may besimilar in shape to conical portion 348 of nozzle 308.

Upstream portion 420 of jet body 404 includes a conical chamber 452.Conical chamber 452 may be shaped to receive nozzle 408 of jet back 402.In some examples, the shape of conical chamber 452 of jet body 404 maybe substantially complementary to the shape of conical portion 446. Insome examples, the shape of conical chamber 452 may not be complementaryto the shape of conical portion 446. For example, conical chamber 452may be significantly wider than conical portion 446 and may have aheight that is equal to or greater than the height of conical portion446. A difference in size and shape between conical chamber 452 andconical portion 446 may be used to ensure that there is a space betweenconical portion 446 and conical chamber 452. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 20-21, spacers 444 are also included to ensure that there is spacebetween conical portion 446 and conical chamber 452.

In use, water passes through water ingress port 410, through conicalcavity 450 and first aperture 448, and into the space between conicalportion 446 and conical chamber 452. Air ingress port 412 leads to thespace between conical portion 446 and conical chamber 452. The streamsof air and water may merge in the space between conical portion 446 andconical chamber 452 and/or in conical chamber 452 before passing throughsecond aperture 454. Second aperture 454 connects conical chamber 452with a receiving chamber.

The receiving chamber in jet body 404 is functionally substantially thesame as receiving chamber 368 in jet body 304 and may be primarilydisposed within downstream portion 422. In this embodiment, thereceiving chamber in jet body 404 includes a substantially cylindricalcavity. Similar to the first style of jet body 304, jet body 404 furtherincludes substantially rectangular protrusions disposed on an inner wall460 of receiving chamber 456. The protrusions may be used as a spacingmechanism to ensure sufficient space between a proximate end of the jetinsert and the inner wall of the receiving chamber. Two hooks may bedisposed inside of the receiving chamber. As in jet body 304, the hooksmay include an approximately U-shaped structure wherein one side isshorter than the other. This structure facilitates coupling with a jetinsert. In some examples, jet body 404 may include any suitable numberof hooks, which may include any suitable structure for engaging the jetinsert.

As discussed with respect to jet assembly 300, jet assembly 400 mayinclude one or more versions of a jet insert, and a jet body 404. Forexample, one or more different sizes and/or styles of jet body 404 maybe configured to couple with a single style of jet back 402 and each ofthe one or more versions of jet body 404 may be configured to couplewith one or more version of a jet insert. In other words, a variety ofstyles of jet body may be installed in multiple places on a hot tub 100and different styles of jet insert may be coupled to each jet bodydepending on the location within the hot tub and the features of the jetbody. In some examples, jet assembly 400 may include only one version ofjet body 404 and/or only one version of a jet insert.

Only one size of jet body 404 is shown in the drawings. In the size ofjet body 404 depicted in FIG. 20, the maximum diameter of downstreamportion 422 is approximately 2.0 inches. Additionally, downstreamportion 422 includes a flange 424 and a channel disposed on flange 424.

In other sizes of jet body 404, downstream portion 422 of jet body 404may include any suitable maximum diameter. For example, the maximumdiameter of downstream portion 422 may be between approximately 1.0inches and approximately 5.0 inches. In some examples, four sizes of jetbody may be used having maximum diameters of approximately 2.0 inches,approximately 3.0 inches, approximately 4.0 inches, and approximately5.0 inches respectively. With the exception of the diameter ofdownstream portion 422 and certain features of the receiving chamber,each size of jet body 404 may be substantially identical. Features ofthe receiving chamber, such as the hooks, may differ between versions ofjet body 404 to best couple and position a suitable version of the jetinsert within each jet body. Each size of jet body 404 may be used andinstalled in hot tub body 104 in substantially the same way. Further,each style of jet body couples with jet back 402 in a substantiallyidentical way.

During installation, jet assembly 400 may be assembled in multiple stepsor at multiple stations. A first step may include coupling the air andwater ingress ports of jet back 402 with tubing 120. Coupling the airand water ingress ports of jet back 402 with tubing 120 may include anysuitable process and/or structure. For example, tubing 120 may be slidover the ends of the air and water ingress ports of jet back 402 and aclamp (described in more detail below) may be used to prevent the tubingfrom sliding off. In some examples, a lubricant (e.g., soapy water) maybe used to facilitate sliding the tubing over the ingress ports. In someexamples, tubing 120 may include dual extrusion tubing. In someexamples, tubing 120 may include separate air and water tubes which maybe installed one at a time on the air and water ingress portsrespectively.

Another step in assembling jet assembly 400 may include installing jetbody 404 and a jet insert on hot tub shell 104. For example, jet body404 may be inserted into a hole formed in the shell of hot tub shell104. Jet body 404 may be inserted from the interior of hot tub shell 104and may be secured to hot tub shell 104 by any suitable mechanismconfigured to be water tight and secure. For example, jet body 404 mayattach to hot tub shell 104 via threaded engagement, glue,press-fitting, and/or any other suitable attachment mechanism. In someexamples, attaching jet body 404 may include threading the jet body intothe hot tub body and/or the use of a compressive gasket. A jet insertmay be coupled to jet body 404 from the interior of hot tub shell 104after jet body 404 has been installed in hot tub shell 104. As discussedabove, jet body 404 is configured to securely couple with and position ajet insert. In some examples, jet body 404 and/or a jet insert may beinstalled from the exterior of hot tub shell 104. In some examples, jetbody 404 and a jet insert may couple together through a hole in the hottub shell, thereby attaching both parts to the hot tub shell.

Completing the installation of jet assembly 400 may include coupling jetback 402 (which is attached to tubing 120) to jet body 404 (which isattached to hot tub shell 104). Jet back 402 may be coupled with jetbody 404 by a “press-and-click” method (described above). For example,jet back 402 and jet body 404 may be aligned and then compressedtogether to overcome the resistive force of spring biased clips 428. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 20-21, spring biased clips 428 areconfigured to flex outward, away from a default position (e.g., awayfrom longitudinal axis 414), when sloped lip 434 slides over proximateend 440 of jet body 404 and along an external portion of upstreamportion 420. Spring biased clips 428 are further configured to snap backinto the default position (e.g., back towards longitudinal axis 414)when sloped lip 434 encounters groove 430 of jet body 404. Sloped lip434 prevents spring biased clips 428, and thus jet back 402, fromsliding towards proximate end 440 and off of jet body 404. Thus, jetback 402 and jet body 404 are coupled together.

In some examples, jet back 402 and jet body 404 may be configured to beable to be unlocked and/or uncoupled. Uncoupling jet back 402 from jetbody 404 may be accomplished by moving spring biased clips 428 away fromjet body 404 (e.g., away from longitudinal axis 414) and sliding the jetback off of the jet body. In some examples, a worker may accomplish thisusing a finger to move the spring biased clips and/or using a tool.Releasably coupling the jet back and the jet body together may beadvantageous as it may, among other advantages, allow a worker touncouple a jet back that was coupled to the wrong jet body by mistake.

Each of the components of jet assembly 400 (e.g., jet back 402, jet body404, and a jet insert) may be constructed out of any suitable material.For example, the components of jet assembly 400 may include any suitablethermoplastic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), and/or any other suitable materials havingsimilar properties (i.e., stiffness etc.). The components of jetassembly 400 may be manufactured using any suitable process. Forexample, the manufacturing process may include the use of injectionmolding, compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. In someexamples, each component may be injection molded out of PVC.

Third Straight Back Embodiment

FIG. 22 depicts a third embodiment 500 of straight back jet assembly200, which also includes a straight back jet back. The third embodimentof jet assembly 200 is generally indicated at 500 and includes a jetback 502, a jet body 504, and a jet insert (or jet face) 506. A nozzle508 includes a structure formed as an integral part of jet back 502.Additionally, or alternatively, jet back 502 may be referred to as astraight back jet back or a straight jet back. Jet back 502 is anexample of jet back 202 described above, jet body 504 is an example ofjet body 204 described above, and jet insert 506 is an example of jetinsert 206 described above. Many of the features of third embodiment 500of jet assembly 200 are the same as in first embodiment 300.Accordingly, similar components may be labeled with similar referencenumbers and only an abbreviated discussion of such features will beprovided here. The differences between the embodiments are described indetail below.

FIG. 22 depicts a sectional view of straight back jet assembly 500,which includes straight back jet back 502, jet body 504, and jet insert506. As with jets 300 and jets 400, jet back 502 includes two parallelingress ports: a water ingress port 510 and an air ingress port 512.Water ingress port 510 is substantially centered on a longitudinal axis514 of the jet back and includes a lip or ridge 516. Air ingress port512 is parallel to water ingress port 510 and is offset from the centerof jet back 502.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, jet back 502—similar to jet backs302 and 402—is configured to couple with dual extrusion tubing havingtwo parallel passages joined at a periphery (examples of dual extrusiontubing are discussed in more detail below). In some examples, jet back502 may be configured to couple with any other suitable kind of tubing.Similar to jet backs 302 and 402, jet back 502 further includes acentral portion 518 configured to create a water tight seal with jetbody 504. Central portion 518 is in direct fluid communication withwater ingress port 510 and air ingress port 512 and may include anysuitable shape depending on the application and on the characteristicsof the jet body. For example, central portion 518 may be substantiallycylindrical as can be seen in FIG. 22.

As in the previous embodiments, jet body 504 includes an upstreamportion 520 and a downstream portion 522 wherein the upstream portion isconfigured to be at least partially disposed within central portion 518of jet back 502. Jet back 502 includes an attachment mechanism extendingfrom a first end 526 of central portion 518 and configured to attach thejet back to jet body 504 in a secure manner. The attachment mechanism,like the attachment mechanism for jet 300 and jet 400, may include aplurality of spring biased clips 528 which are configured to couple witha retaining feature on the jet body (e.g., grooves 330 and 430 in jets300 and 400 respectively). In some examples, spring biased clips 528 mayinclude a resiliently flexible support 534 and a sloped lip 536 which isconfigured to couple with the retaining feature. In contrast withstraight jets 300 and 400, the retaining feature on jet body 504 takesthe form of a ridge 530. In some examples, multiple ridges 530 may beused, forming an adjustable retainer 532. Ridges 530 may be disposed onany suitable portion of jet body 504, for example, on upstream portion520.

In some examples, the attachment mechanism may be configured to couplejet back 502 to jet body 504 while allowing jet back 502 to rotaterelative to jet body 504. In other words, in some examples, jet back 502may able to rotate about longitudinal axis 514 when coupled to jet body504 while maintaining a water- and air-tight seal; this may allow aworker to prevent adjacent jet assemblies from interfering with eachother.

Similar to jet bodies 304 and 404, jet body 504 includes two recesses538 configured to contain one or more O-rings 540, such as those shownin FIG. 22. Recesses 538 may be configured such that the outside edge ofthe O-ring is flush with or extends slightly beyond the surface of theupstream portion of the jet body. Unlike jet backs 302 and 402, jet back502 does not include a spacing mechanism to create space between aproximate end 542 of upstream portion 520 of jet body 504 and an innerwall 544 of jet back 502. Instead, when jet assembly 500 is assembled,proximate end 542 of the jet body is flush with inner wall 544.

Nozzle 508 may include any suitable structure configured to change thedirection and/or speed of the stream of water. In the embodiment ofstraight jet 500 shown in FIG. 22, as in straight jet 400, nozzle 508 isa structure formed as an integral part of jet back 502 and jet body 504is shaped to receive the conical portion of jet back 502. Conicalportion 552, first aperture 554, conical cavity 556, conical chamber558, and second aperture 562 of straight jet 500 are substantially thesame as the corresponding features of straight jet 400. As can be seenin FIG. 22, inner wall 544 of jet back 502 includes a substantiallyconical portion 552 narrowing to a first aperture 554. As in jet 400,water ingress port 510 extends from a substantially cylindrical portionto a conical cavity 556 which tapers to first aperture 554.

Upstream portion 520 of jet body 504, like upstream portion 520 of jetbody 404, includes a conical chamber 558 shaped to receive nozzle 508 ofjet back 502. In some examples, the shape of conical chamber 558 of jetbody 504 may be substantially complementary to the shape of conicalportion 552. In some examples, the shape of conical chamber 558 may notbe complementary to the shape of conical portion 552. For example,conical chamber 558 may be significantly wider than conical portion 552and may have a height that is equal to or greater than the height ofconical portion 552. A difference in size and shape between conicalchamber 558 and conical portion 552 may be used to ensure that there isa space 562 between conical portion 552 and conical chamber 558 evenwhen proximate end 542 of the jet body is flush with inner wall 544.

In use, water passes through water ingress port 510, through conicalcavity 556 and first aperture 554, and into space 562 between conicalportion 552 and conical chamber 558. Air ingress port 512 also leads tospace 562. The streams of air and water may merge in space 562 betweenconical portion 552 and conical chamber 558 and/or in conical chamber558 before passing through a second aperture 562. Second aperture 562connects conical chamber 558 with receiving chamber 546.

FIG. 22 shows the jet body of the current embodiment. Second aperture562 connects conical chamber 558 with receiving chamber 546. Receivingchamber 546 in jet body 504 is substantially the same as the receivingchamber in jet bodies 304 and 404 and may be primarily disposed withindownstream portion 522. In this embodiment, receiving chamber 546includes a substantially cylindrical cavity as shown in FIG. 22. Similarto the first style of jet body 304, jet body 504 further includes twohooks 548 disposed inside of receiving chamber 546 which facilitatecoupling with jet insert 506. In some examples, jet body 504 may includeany suitable number of hooks 548, which may include any suitablestructure for engaging jet insert 506.

A jet insert 506 is also shown in FIG. 22. Jet insert 506 may includeteeth 550 configured to engage with hooks 548. For example, to couplejet insert 506 to jet body 504, jet insert 506 may be inserted into thereceiving cavity such that hooks 548 and teeth 550 are offset androtated until the hooks and teeth engage. In some examples, jet insert506 may include any suitable number of teeth 550.

Jet insert 506 may include any suitable structure configured to pass themixture of air and water to the interior of hot tub shell 104 and/or tomanipulate the speed, direction, and/or other properties of the streamof air and water. For example, jet insert 506 includes a flow director564. Flow director 564 may be visible to a user from inside hot tubshell 104. Flow director 564 may include any suitable structureconfigured to manipulate the speed and direction of the stream of airand water depending on the application and the characteristics of jetbody 504, hot tub shell 104, and jet insert 506. For example, flowdirector 564 may include a substantially cylindrical portion. In someexamples, jet insert 506 and/or flow director 564 may include decorativeportions and/or may include any suitable structures and/or shapes tomatch an aesthetic.

As discussed with respect to jet assembly 300 and 400, jet assembly 500may include, or be compatible with, one or more versions of jet insert506 and jet body 404. For example, one or more different sizes and/orstyles of jet body 504 may be configured to couple with a single styleof jet back 502 and each of the one or more versions of jet body 504 maybe configured to couple with one or more versions of jet insert 506. Inother words, a variety of styles of jet body may be installed inmultiple places on a hot tub 100 and different styles of jet insert maybe coupled to each jet body depending on the location within the hot tuband the features of the jet body. In some examples, jet assembly 500 mayinclude only one version of jet body 504 and/or only one version of jetinsert 506.

Only one size of jet body 504 is shown in the drawings. In the size ofjet body 504 depicted in FIG. 22, the maximum diameter of downstreamportion 522 is approximately 2.0 inches. Additionally, downstreamportion 522 includes a flange 524 and jet insert 506 includes a curvedflange 566 which overlaps with flange 524. In other sizes of jet body504, downstream portion 522 of jet body 504 may include any suitablemaximum diameter. For example, the maximum diameter of downstreamportion 522 may be between approximately 1.0 inches and approximately5.0 inches. In some examples, four sizes of jet body may be used havingmaximum diameters of approximately 2.0 inches, approximately 3.0 inches,approximately 4.0 inches, and approximately 5.0 inches respectively.

With the exception of the diameter of downstream portion and certainfeature of receiving chamber 546, each size of jet body 504 may besubstantially identical. Feature of receiving chamber 546, such as hooks548, may differ between versions of jet body 504 to best couple andposition a suitable version of jet insert 506 within each jet body. Eachsize of jet body 504 may be used and installed in hot tub shell 104 insubstantially the same way. Further, each style of jet body couples withjet back 502 in a substantially identical way.

During installation, jet assembly 500 may be assembled in multiple stepsor at multiple stations. A first step may include coupling the air andwater ingress ports of jet back 502 with tubing 120. Coupling the airand water ingress ports of jet back 502 with tubing 120 may include anysuitable process and/or structure. For example, tubing 120 may be slidover the ends of the air and water ingress ports of jet back 502 and aclamp (described in more detail below) may be used to prevent the tubingfrom sliding off. In some examples, a lubricant (e.g., soapy water) maybe used to facilitate sliding the tubing over the ingress ports. In someexamples, tubing 120 may include dual extrusion tubing. In someexamples, tubing 120 may include separate air and water tubes which maybe installed one at a time on the air and water ingress portsrespectively.

Another step in installing jet assembly 500 may include installing jetbody 504 and jet insert 506 on hot tub shell 104. For example, jet body504 may be inserted into a hole formed in the shell of hot tub shell104. Jet body 504 is inserted from the interior of hot tub shell 104 andmay be secured to hot tub shell 104 by any suitable mechanism configuredto be water tight and secure. For example, jet body 504 may attach tohot tub shell 104 via threaded engagement, glue, press-fitting, and/orany other suitable attachment mechanism. In some examples, attaching jetbody 504 may include threading the jet body into the hot tub body and/orthe use of a compressive gasket. Jet insert 506 may be coupled to jetbody 504 from the interior of hot tub shell 104 after jet body 504 hasbeen installed in hot tub shell 104. As discussed above, jet body 504 isconfigured to securely couple with and position jet insert 506.

A further step in the installation of jet assembly 500 may includecoupling jet back 502 (which may already be attached to tubing 120) tojet body 504 (which may already be attached to hot tub shell 104). Jetback 502 may be coupled with jet body 504 by a “press-and-click” method(described above). For example, jet back 502 and jet body 504 may bealigned and then compressed together to overcome the resistive force ofspring biased clips 528. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, springbiased clips 528 are configured to flex outward, away from a defaultposition (e.g., away from longitudinal axis 514), when sloped lip 536slides over a leading edge of a first one of ridges 530 on jet body 504.Spring biased clips 528 are further configured to snap back into thedefault position (e.g., back towards longitudinal axis 514) when slopedlip 536 passes the first one of ridges 530 on jet body 504. If jet back502 and jet body 504 continue to be compressed together, spring biasedclips 528 may similarly snap over a second one of ridges 530 on jet body504. Once past at least one of ridges 530, sloped lip 536 engages withat least one of ridges 530 and prevents spring biased clips 528, andthus jet back 502, from sliding towards proximate end 542 and off of jet502. Thus, jet back 502 and jet body 504 are coupled together. Usingmultiple ridges 530 to form adjustable retainer 532 may, among otheradvantages, allow a worker to control how tightly the jet back and thejet body are coupled.

In some examples, jet back 502 and jet body 504 may be configured to beable to be unlocked and/or uncoupled. Uncoupling jet back 502 from jetbody 504 may be accomplished by moving spring biased clips 528 away fromjet body 504 (e.g., away from longitudinal axis 514) and sliding the jetback off of the jet body. In some examples, a worker may accomplish thisusing a finger to move the spring biased clips and/or using a tool.Releasably coupling the jet back and the jet body together may beadvantageous as it may, among other advantages, allow a worker touncouple a jet back that was coupled to the wrong jet body by mistake,or to replace a defective or broken jet back.

Each of the components of jet assembly 500 (e.g., jet back 502, jet body504, and jet insert 506) may be constructed out of any suitablematerial. For example, the components of jet assembly 500 may includeany suitable thermoplastic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC),acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and/or any other suitablematerials having similar properties (i.e., stiffness etc.). Thecomponents of jet assembly 500 may be manufactured using any suitableprocess. For example, the manufacturing process may include the use ofinjection molding, compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. Insome examples, each component may be injection molded out of PVC.

Angled Back Jet Back Overview

In some situations, a jet assembly 200 may be disposed in a region ofhot tub 100 where the space between hot tub shell 104 and hot tub frame102 is too small to allow a straight back jet back (such as jet backs302, 402, or 502) to fit between hot tub shell 104 and hot tub frame 102while coupled to jet body 204 and tubing 120. For example, if thedistance between hot tub shell 104 and hot tub frame 102 is too small,tubing 120 may be forced to bend sharply immediately past the ends ofthe air and water ingress ports; this may compromise the integrity ofthe plumbing system by damaging the seal between tubing 120 and jet back202, damaging tubing 120, and/or impeding the flow of water and/or airthrough tubing 120 and jet back 202. In some examples, there may not bespace for a straight back jet back to couple to jet body 204 even whennot coupled to tubing 120.

To avoid this issue, the present disclosure teaches embodiments of jetback 202 which include a water ingress port and an air ingress portwhich are oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe jet back. Such an angled jet back may extend out from hot tub shella shorter distance when coupled to a jet body than a straight back jetback (such as jet backs 302, 402, and 502 described above) and thereforemay fit in areas of hot tub 100 where a straight jet back might not, forexample, in places where there is a small distance between hot tub shell104 and hot tub frame 102. Additionally, or alternatively, the angledjet back may allow tubing 120 to extend in a direction substantiallyparallel to hot tub shell 104 and/or may avoid forcing tubing 120 tobend at a sharp angle after extending past the jet back.

Possible disadvantages to the use of an angled back jet back can includeincreased levels of noise produced by the jet and increased resistanceto the flow of water through the jet back. Using angled back jet backscan also clutter the area right next to the hot tub shell, since thefirst few inches of tubing are positioned right next to hot tub shell104 instead of immediately extending away from the hot tub shell. Thisclutter can be an issue in areas where there are many jets as it mayobscure uncoupled jet bodies and/or increase the likelihood of mistakes.Using a combination of straight back and angled back jet backs cansubstantially avoid the issues associated with both types of jet backs.Using straight back jet backs such as jet backs 302, 402, or 502 in mostinstances avoids crowding and noise issues. Using angled back jet backsin areas with little space between hot tub shell 104 and hot tub frame102 avoids spacing issues. Selective use of angled back jet backs maylimit the extra noise produced while allowing the jet back to fit insmaller spaces.

As shown in FIGS. 23-30, this section describes three embodiments of anangled back jet assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, an angled backjet assembly may be referred to as an angled back jet, an angled jet, anangled jet assembly, and/or a jet. When only the word jet (or the phrasejet assembly) is used, the context indicates whether a straight back jetassembly or an angled back jet assembly is meant. The angled jetsdescribed below are substantially similar to the straight back jetsdescribed above, except that the water ingress port and the air ingressport of the jet back are oriented at an angle (for example, 90 degrees)with respect to a central portion of the jet back. While this sectionincludes a description of three possible embodiments of an angled backjet assembly, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatother embodiments or variations are possible.

First Angled Back Embodiment

FIGS. 23 through 27 depict a fourth embodiment 600 of jet assembly 200,which includes an angled back jet back. The fourth embodiment of jetassembly 200 is generally indicated at 600 and includes an angled jetback 602, a jet body 604, and a nozzle 608. In some cases, jet assembly600 also may include a jet insert (not shown). Additionally, oralternatively, jet assembly 600 may be referred to as a jet, a jetassembly, an angled jet, an angled jet assembly, an angled back jet,and/or an angled back jet assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, jetback 602 may be referred to as an angled back jet back or an angled jetback.

Jet back 602 is an example of jet back 202 generally described above,jet body 604 is an example of jet body 204 generally described above,and a suitable jet insert is an example of jet insert 206 generallydescribed above. Jet body 604 and nozzle 608 of angled jet 600 aresubstantially similar to jet body 304 and nozzle 308, respectively, ofjet 300. Accordingly, similar components and/or features may be labeledwith similar reference numbers and only an abbreviated discussion ofsuch features will be provided here. Duplicate drawings are not providedfor components which are substantially identical to other embodiments ofjet assembly 200.

The primary difference between angled jet assembly 600 and straight backjet assembly 300 is the shape of angled jet back 602 compared with jetback 302. Whereas jet back 302 includes air and water ingress portswhich are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the jet back, angled jetback 602 includes air and water ingress ports which are not parallel toa longitudinal axis of the jet back. Accordingly, some of the componentsand features of angled jet assembly 600 are substantially similar to orthe same as some of the components and features of straight jet assembly300. Accordingly, similar components may be labeled with similarreference numbers and only an abbreviated discussion of such featureswill be provided here. The differences between the embodiments aredescribed in detail below and new features will be given new referencenumbers.

FIGS. 23-27 show various views of angled back jet 600 and componentsthereof. FIGS. 10-13 show various views of jet body 304 and nozzle 308(which are substantially similar to jet body 604 and nozzle 608,respectively) suitable for use with jet back 602 to form jet assembly600. FIG. 23 shows an exploded sectional view of angled jet 600 andincludes illustrative embodiments of angled jet back 602, jet body 604,and nozzle 608. FIG. 24 depicts a partially assembled view of angled jetassembly 600 in which nozzle 608 is press fit into jet body 604. FIG. 25depicts a fully assembled view of angled jet 600. FIG. 26 is a sectionalview of a fully assembled angled back jet assembly 600 and depicts howthe components of angled jet assembly 600 fit together. FIG. 27 is afront isometric view of angled jet back 602. FIG. 10 is a side isometricview of nozzle 608 (308) and FIG. 11 is a back isometric view of nozzle608 (308). FIG. 12 depicts nozzle 608 (308) press fit into jet body 604(304) and the O-rings installed on jet body 604 (304). FIG. 13 is afront isometric view of jet body 604 (304).

The jet insert for jet assembly 600 may be substantially identical tothe jet insert for jet assembly 300. Note that FIGS. 23-27 and 10-13 donot show a jet insert, however, as discussed, jet body 604 (304) isconfigured to couple with a jet insert. As seen in FIG. 23, angled backjet assembly 600 includes angled jet back 602, nozzle 608 (308), jetbody 604 (304), and also may include a jet insert (not shown). Jet back602 is substantially similar to jet back 302; the primary differencebetween jet back 302 and jet back 602 is the configuration of the airand water ingress ports.

Jet back 602 includes two ingress ports: a water ingress port 610 and anair ingress port 612. Water ingress port 610 is larger in diameter thanair ingress port 612 and at least a portion of water ingress port 610 isparallel air ingress port 612. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 23-27,water ingress port 610 includes a base portion 616 and an extendedportion 618. Base portion 616 is substantially centered on longitudinalaxis 614 of the jet back and is substantially parallel with longitudinalaxis 614. Extended portion 618 may be oriented at any suitable anglerelative to base portion 616. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 23-27,extended portion 618 is oriented at an approximately 90-degree anglewith respect to base portion 616. Additionally, or alternatively, wateringress port 610 may be referred to as a water barb, an angled wateringress port, or an angled water barb. Similar to water ingress port310, water ingress port 610 includes a lip or ridge 620 as can best beseen in FIGS. 24 and 25. Lip 620 may include any suitable structureconfigured to ensure a water tight seal between water ingress port 610and a length of tubing (such as tubing 120). For example, lip 620 mayinclude a sloped ridge as in FIGS. 23-26.

Air ingress port 612 is substantially parallel with extended portion 618of the water ingress port, and may be offset from the center of jet back602. Air ingress port 612 may form substantially the same angle withlongitudinal axis 614 as extended portion 618. For example, air ingressport 612 may form an approximately 90-degree angle with longitudinalaxis 614. In some examples, air ingress port 612 may extend from theside of jet back 602. Additionally, or alternatively, air ingress port612 may be referred to as an air barb, an angled air barb, or an angledair ingress port. In some examples, air ingress port 612 may include alip or other feature to ensure a seal. In some examples, an externalportion of air ingress port 612 may be smooth as can best be seen inFIGS. 23-26.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 23-27, jet back 602 is, like jet back302, configured to couple with dual extrusion tubing having two parallelpassages joined at a periphery (examples of dual extrusion tubing arediscussed below). In some examples, jet back 602 may be configured tocouple with any other suitable kind of tubing. For example, jet back 602may be configured to couple with two separate lengths of tubing, onewhich carries air and one which carries water. In some examples,configuring jet back 602 to couple with different kinds of tubing mayinclude changing the spacing between the air and water ingress portsand/or the dimensions for the air and water ingress ports.

As with previous embodiments, jet back 602 further includes a centralportion 622 configured to create a water tight seal with jet body 604.Central portion 622 is in direct fluid communication with water ingressport 610 and air ingress port 612 and may include any suitable shapedepending on the application and on the characteristics of the jet body.For example, central portion 622 may be substantially cylindrical as canbest be seen in FIGS. 24, 25, and 27. In some examples, central portion622 may be substantially rectangular or substantially triangular.

Jet body 604 is substantially identical to jet body 304. Accordingly,only an abbreviated description will be given here. Jet body 604includes an upstream portion 624 and a downstream portion 626. Upstreamportion 624 may include any suitable structure configured to be at leastpartially disposed within central portion 622. For example, upstreamportion 624 may be substantially cylindrical. Like jet back 302, jetback 602 includes an attachment mechanism which extends from a first end630 of central portion 622 and which is configured to attach the jetback to jet body 604 in a secure manner. The attachment mechanism, likethe attachment mechanism for jet 300, includes a plurality of springbiased clips 632 which are configured to couple with a retainingfeature, such as a groove 634, on jet body 604. In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 23-27, jet back 602 includes four spring biased clips 632 (asbest seen in FIG. 27). In some examples, spring biased clips 632 mayinclude a resiliently flexible support 636 and a sloped lip 638 which isconfigured to engage with groove 634.

In some examples, the attachment mechanism may be configured to couplejet back 602 to jet body 604 while allowing jet back 602 to rotaterelative to jet body 604. In other words, in some examples, jet back 602may be able to rotate about longitudinal axis 614 when coupled to jetbody 604 while maintaining a water- and air-tight seal; this may allow aworker to prevent adjacent jet assemblies from interfering with eachother.

Like jet body 304, jet body 604 includes two recesses 640 disposed onupstream portion 624 and configured to contain two O-rings 642 such asthose shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Recesses 640 may be configured such thatthe outside edge of the O-ring is flush with or extends slightly beyondthe surface of the upstream portion of the jet body as shown in FIG. 24.As best seen in FIG. 27, jet back 602 also includes a spacing mechanismconfigured to ensure sufficient space between a proximate end 644 ofupstream portion 624 of jet body 604 and an inner wall 646 of jet back602. The spacing mechanism may be substantially identical to the spacingmechanism for jet 300. For example, a plurality of spacers 648 may bedisposed on inner wall 646 and configured to prevent proximate end 644of the jet body from becoming flush with inner wall 646. In the exampleshown in FIG. 27, jet back 602 includes four spacers 648 disposed oninner wall 646 and formed as an integral part of jet back 602.

Nozzle 608 is substantially identical to nozzle 308. Accordingly, onlyan abbreviated description will be given here. Nozzle 608, like nozzle308, is formed as a separate piece from the jet back and the jet bodyand is configured to be press fit into the jet body. Nozzle 608 includesa main body 650 and a conical portion 652. Main body 650 may include ahollow, substantially cylindrical tube as best seen in FIGS. 10-11. Forexample, conical portion 652 may taper from a larger, round firstaperture 654 to a smaller, round second aperture 656 as best seen inFIG. 11. As in nozzle 308, conical portion 652 of nozzle 608 includes aconstant-diameter, annular flange 658 attached to first aperture 654.Nozzle 608 further includes four substantially rectangular supportstructures 660, as can be seen in FIGS. 10-11.

Nozzle 608 is configured to be press-fit into jet body 604. As shown inFIGS. 24, 26, and 12, main body 650 is configured to fit at leastpartially within a main cavity 662 of jet body 604 and conical portion652 is configured to fit within a recessed portion 664 of inner wall 646when jet back 602 is coupled with jet body 604. For example, an outerdiameter of main body 650 may be very close to the inner diameter ofmain cavity 662 to ensure a secure fit. In some examples, main body 650may have a slight taper to create a wedge fit between nozzle 608 andmain cavity 662. Support structures 660 may be configured to leave gaps666 between the conical portion 652, main body 650, and supportstructures 660 (see, e.g., FIG. 11). When jet back 602 is coupled to jetbody 604, water from water ingress port 610 may be passed through firstaperture 654 and second aperture 656 while air from air ingress port 612may be passed into an air chamber 668 and through gaps 666. The air andwater may mix in main cavity 662 of the jet body and/or within the mainbody 650 of the nozzle before passing through a main aperture 670 of thejet body.

Jet body 604 is substantially identical to jet body 304. Accordingly,FIGS. 12 and 13 also show the jet body of the current embodiment. Mainaperture 670 connects main cavity 662 with a receiving chamber 672.Receiving chamber 672 is primarily disposed within downstream portion626 and may include any suitable structure for receiving at least aportion of a jet insert. For example, receiving chamber 672 may includea substantially cylindrical cavity as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Aplurality of hooks 674 are disposed inside of receiving chamber 672. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 13, hooks 674 include an approximatelyU-shaped structure wherein one side is shorter than the other. A jetinsert having similarly shaped teeth may be inserted into the receivingcavity such that the hooks and teeth are offset and rotated until thehooks and teeth engage. Jet body 604 may include any suitable number ofhooks 674. For example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 includes twohooks 674. In some examples, receiving chamber 672 may include anysuitable structures for coupling to and suitably positioning a jetinsert.

The jet insert for jet assembly 600 is substantially identical to thejet insert for jet assembly 300 and may include any suitable structureconfigured to pass the mixture of air and water to the interior of hottub shell 104. In some examples, some or all of the jet insert may bevisible from the interior of hot tub body 104 and/or the jet insert mayinclude decorative portions. In some examples, the jet insert mayinclude any suitable structures configured to manipulate the speed,direction, and/or other properties of the stream of air and water. Forexample, the jet insert may include a flow director and/or a rotatingnozzle.

Similar to jet assembly 300, jet assembly 600 may include multipleversions of the jet insert. For example, a plurality of different jetinserts may be configured to couple with jet body 604. In other words,the same style of jet body may be installed in multiple places on a hottub 100 and different styles of jet insert may be coupled to each jetbody depending on the location within the hot tub and desiredapplication.

Additionally, or alternatively, jet assembly 600, like jet assembly 300,may include multiple versions of jet body 604. For example, a pluralityof different sizes and/or styles of jet body 604 may be configured tocouple with a single style of jet back 602. Each version of jet body 604may be configured to couple with one or more versions of the jet insert.In other words, a variety of styles of jet body may be installed inmultiple places on a hot tub 100 and different styles of jet insert maybe coupled to each jet body depending on the location within the hot tuband the features of the jet body.

As discussed above with respect to jet 300, FIGS. 12-13 depict a firststyle of jet body 604 (which, as discussed, is substantially identicalto jet body 304) and FIGS. 14-19 depict three other styles of jet body604 (304) indicated at 304 a, 304 b, and 304 c respectively, which aresuitable for use with jet assembly 600. As discussed above, many aspectsof jet bodies 304 a, 304 b, and 304 c are substantially similar to jetbody 604 (304). Accordingly, similar features will be denoted withsimilar reference numbers and will not be discussed here. Features ofreceiving chamber 672 (368), such as hooks 674 (370), may differ betweenjet bodies 304, 304 a, 304 b, and 304 c to best couple and position asuitable version of the jet insert within each jet body. Jet body 604(304) and the jet insert may be coupled together using hooks, clips,threaded engagement, and/or any other suitable method.

As discussed above, downstream portion 626 of jet body 604 (304) has amaximum diameter of approximately 1.9 inches. Jet body 604 (304)includes two substantially rectangular protrusions 678 disposed on aninner wall 676 of receiving chamber 672. Protrusions 678 may be used asa spacing mechanism to ensure sufficient space between a proximate endof the jet insert and inner wall 676 of receiving chamber 672.Additionally, flange 628 on downstream portion 626 includes a channel680.

Jet body 304 a is shown in FIGS. 14-15 and includes a downstream portion626 having a maximum diameter of approximately 2.7 inches. Jet body 304a includes two hooks, an annular flange disposed adjacent a mainaperture, and two slots disposed on the flange. The annular flange andthe slots may be configured to facilitate coupling with and positioningthe jet insert in conjunction with the hooks.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show jet body 304 b. Jet body 304 b includes adownstream portion having a maximum diameter of approximately 3.2inches. Jet body 304 b includes four hooks and a flange which includes achannel and four slots disposed within the channel.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show jet body 304 c. Jet body 304 c includes adownstream portion having a maximum diameter of approximately 4.5inches. Jet body 304 c includes a flange and four spring biased clipsconfigured to engage with a suitable style of jet insert. As discussedwith respect to jet assembly 300, each of jet body 304, jet body 304 a,jet body 304 b, and jet body 304 c may be used and installed in hot tubbody 104 in substantially the same way. Further, each style of jet bodycouples with nozzle 608 (308) and jet back 602 in a substantiallyidentical way.

During installation, jet assembly 600 may be assembled in substantiallythe same steps and/or at substantially the same stations as jet assembly300. A first step may include press fitting nozzle 608 into main cavity662 of jet body 604 (see FIG. 12) and coupling the air and water ingressports of jet back 602 with tubing 120. In some examples, press-fittingnozzle 608 into main cavity 662 may include using a lubricant (forexample, soapy water) or an adhesive. Coupling the air and water ingressports of jet back 602 with tubing 120 may include any suitable processand/or structure. For example, tubing 120 may be slid over the ends ofthe air and water ingress ports of jet back 602 and a clamp (describedin more detail below) may be used to prevent the tubing from slidingoff. In some examples, a lubricant (e.g., soapy water) may be used tofacilitate sliding the tubing over the ingress ports. Tubing 120 mayinclude dual extrusion tubing and/or separate air and water tubes whichmay be installed one at a time on the air and water ingress portsrespectively.

Another step in assembling jet assembly 600 may include installing jetbody 604 and a jet insert in hot tub shell 104. For example, jet body604 (with nozzle 608) may be inserted into a hole formed in the shell ofhot tub shell 104. Jet body 604 may be inserted from the interior of hottub shell 104 and may be secured to hot tub shell 104 by any suitablemechanism configured to be water tight and secure. For example, jet body604 may attach to hot tub shell 104 via threaded engagement, glue,press-fitting, and/or any other suitable attachment mechanism.

In some examples, attaching jet body 604 may include threading the jetbody into the hot tub body and/or the use of a compressive gasket. A jetinsert may be coupled to jet body 604 d from the interior of hot tubshell 104 after jet body 604 has been installed in hot tub shell 104. Asdiscussed above, jet body 604 is configured to securely couple with andposition the jet insert. In some examples, jet body 604 and/or acompatible jet insert may be installed from the exterior of hot tubshell 104. In some examples, jet body 604 and a compatible jet insertmay couple together through a hole in the hot tub shell, therebyattaching both parts to the hot tub shell.

Completing the installation of jet assembly 600 may include coupling jetback 602 (which is attached to tubing 120) to jet body 604 (which isattached to hot tub shell 104 and includes nozzle 608). Jet back 602 maybe coupled with jet body 604 by a “press-and-click” method (describedabove). For example, jet back 602 and jet body 604 may be aligned andthen compressed together to overcome the resistive force of springbiased clips 632. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 23-27, spring biasedclips 632 are configured to flex outward, away from a default position(e.g., away from longitudinal axis 614), when sloped lip 638 slides overproximate end 644 of jet body 604 and along an external portion ofupstream portion 624. Spring biased clips 632 are further configured tosnap back into the default position (e.g., back towards longitudinalaxis 614) when sloped lip 638 encounters groove 634 of jet body 604.Sloped lip 638 prevents spring biased clips 632, and thus jet back 602,from sliding towards proximate end 644 and off of jet 602. Thus, jetback 602 and jet body 604 are coupled together.

In some examples, jet back 602 and jet body 604 may be configured to beable to be unlocked and/or uncoupled. Uncoupling jet back 602 from jetbody 604 may be accomplished by moving spring biased clips 632 away fromjet body 604 (e.g., away from longitudinal axis 614) and sliding the jetback off of the jet body. In some examples, a worker may accomplish thisusing a finger to move the spring biased clips and/or using a tool.Releasably coupling the jet back and the jet body together may beadvantageous as it may, among other advantages, allow a worker touncouple a jet back that was coupled to the wrong jet body by mistake.

Each of the components of jet assembly 600 (e.g., jet back 602, jet body604, a suitable jet insert, and nozzle 608) may be constructed out ofany suitable material. For example, the components of jet assembly 600may include any suitable thermoplastic polymer such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and/or any othersuitable materials having similar properties (i.e., stiffness etc.). Thecomponents of jet assembly 600 may be manufactured using any suitableprocess. For example, the manufacturing process may include the use ofinjection molding, compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. Insome examples, each component may be injection molded out of PVC.

Second Angled Back Embodiment

FIGS. 28-29 depict a fifth embodiment 700 of a jet assembly, which alsoincludes an angled back jet back. The fifth jet assembly embodiment isgenerally indicated at 700 and includes an angled jet back 702, a jetbody 704, and a jet insert (not shown). A nozzle 708 includes astructure formed as an integral part of jet back 702. Jet back 702 is anexample of jet back 202 described above, jet body 704 is an example ofjet back 204 described above, and a suitable jet insert is an example ofjet insert 206 described above. Additionally, or alternatively, jetassembly 700 may be referred to as a jet, a jet assembly, an angled jet,an angled jet assembly, an angled back jet, and/or an angled back jetassembly. Additionally, or alternatively, jet back 702 may be referredto as an angled back jet back or an angled jet back. Additionally, oralternatively, the jet insert may be referred to as a jet face.

Many of the features of fifth embodiment 700 of jet assembly 200 are thesame as second embodiment 400. The primary difference between angled jetassembly 700 and straight back jet assembly 400, is the shape of angledjet back 702 compared with jet back 402. Whereas jet back 402 includesair and water ingress ports which are parallel to a longitudinal axis ofthe jet back, angled jet back 702 includes air and water ingress portswhich are not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the jet back.Accordingly, jet body 704 and nozzle 708 of angled jet 700 aresubstantially identical to jet body 404 and nozzle 408 of jet 400.Accordingly, similar components and/or features may be labeled withsimilar reference numbers and only an abbreviated discussion of suchfeatures will be provided here. Duplicate drawings are not provided forcomponents which are substantially identical to other embodiments of jetassembly 200. The differences between the embodiments are described indetail below.

FIGS. 28-29 show various views of angled back jet 700 and componentsthereof.

FIG. 28 depicts a partially exploded isometric view of angled back jetassembly 700 and includes illustrative embodiments of angled jet back702 and jet body 704. Jet body 704 is substantially identical to jetbody 404. FIG. 29 is a front isometric view of angled jet back 702. Thejet insert for jet assembly 700 may be substantially identical to thejet insert for jet assembly 400. Note that FIGS. 28-29 do not show a jetinsert, however, as discussed, jet body 704 is configured to couple witha compatible jet insert.

As seen in FIG. 28, angled back jet assembly 700 includes angled jetback 702, nozzle 708 (408), jet body 704 (404), and a jet insert (notshown). Jet body 704 and nozzle 708 are substantially identical to jetbody 404 and nozzle 408 respectively. Jet back 702 is substantiallysimilar to jet back 402; the primary difference between jet back 402 andangled jet back 702 is the configuration of the air and water ingressports. Specifically, the air and water ingress ports extend at an anglewith respect to the longitudinal axis of the jet back. The air and wateringress ports of jet back 702 are substantially similar to the air andwater ingress ports of jet back 602.

Jet back 702 includes two ingress ports: a water ingress port 710 and anair ingress port 712. Water ingress port 710 is larger in diameter thanair ingress port 712 and at least a portion of water ingress port 710 isparallel to air ingress port 712. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.28-29, water ingress port 710 includes a base portion 716 and anextended portion 718. Base portion 716 is substantially centered onlongitudinal axis 714 of the jet back and is substantially parallel withlongitudinal axis 714. Extended portion 718 may be oriented at anysuitable angle relative to base portion 716. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 28-29, extended portion 718 is oriented at an approximately90-degree angle with respect to base portion 716. Additionally, oralternatively, water ingress port 710 may be referred to as a waterbarb, an angled water ingress port, or an angled water barb. Similar towater ingress port 410, water ingress port 710 includes a lip or ridge720 as can best be seen in FIGS. 28 and 29. For example, lip 720 mayinclude a sloped ridge configured to ensure a water tight seal betweenwater ingress port 710 and a length of tubing (such as tubing 120).

Air ingress port 712 is substantially parallel with extended portion 718and may be offset from the center of jet back 702. Air ingress port 712may form substantially the same angle with longitudinal axis 714 asextended portion 718. For example, air ingress port 712 may form anapproximately 90-degree angle with longitudinal axis 714. In someexamples, air ingress port 712 may extend from the side of jet back 702.Additionally, or alternatively, air ingress port 712 may be referred toas an air barb, an angled air barb, or an angled air ingress port. Anexternal portion of air ingress port 712 may be smooth as can best beseen in FIGS. 28-29.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28-29, jet back 702—similar to jet back402—is configured to couple with dual extrusion tubing having twoparallel passages joined at a periphery (examples of dual extrusiontubing are discussed in more detail below). In some examples, jet back702 may be configured to couple with any other suitable kind of tubing.Similar to jet back 402, jet back 702 further includes a central portion722 configured to create a water tight seal with jet body 704 (404).Central portion 722 is in direct fluid communication with water ingressport 710 and air ingress port 712 and may include any suitable shapedepending on the application and on the characteristics of the jet body.In this embodiment, central portion 722 is substantially cylindrical ascan be seen in FIGS. 28-29.

As in previous embodiments, jet body 704 (404) includes an upstreamportion 724 and a downstream portion 726 wherein the upstream portion isconfigured to be at least partially disposed within central portion 722of jet back 702. Jet back 702 includes an attachment mechanism extendingfrom a first end 730 of central portion 722 and configured to couple thejet back to jet body 704 (404) in a secure manner. The attachmentmechanism, like the attachment mechanism for jet 400, includes aplurality of spring biased clips 732 which are configured to couple witha retaining feature, such as a groove 734, on jet body 704 (404). In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 28-29, jet back 702 includes four springbiased clips 732. In some examples, spring biased clips 732 may includea resiliently flexible support 736 and a sloped lip 738 which isconfigured to engage with groove 734.

In some examples, the attachment mechanism may be configured to couplejet back 702 to jet body 704 while allowing jet back 702 to rotaterelative to jet body 704. In other words, in some examples, jet back 702may able to rotate about longitudinal axis 714 when coupled to jet body704 while maintaining a water- and air-tight seal; this may allow aworker to prevent adjacent jet assemblies from interfering with eachother.

Jet body 704 includes two recesses 740 disposed on upstream portion 724and configured to contain one or more O-rings 742, such as those shownin FIG. 28. Recesses 740 may be configured such that the outside edge ofthe O-ring is flush with or extends slightly beyond the surface of theupstream portion of the jet body as shown in FIG. 28.

As best seen in FIG. 29, jet back 702 also includes a spacing mechanismconfigured to ensure sufficient space between a proximate end 744 ofupstream portion 724 of jet body 704 (404) and an inner wall 746 of jetback 702. In the example shown in FIG. 29, jet back 702 includes fourspacers 748 disposed on inner wall 746 and formed as an integral part ofjet back 702.

The embodiment of jet back 702 shown in FIGS. 28-29 includes a nozzle708 which is substantially identical to nozzle 408 and which includes astructure formed as an integral part of jet back 702. Nozzle 708 mayinclude any suitable structure formed as part of jet back 402 andconfigured to change the direction and/or speed of the stream of water.As can best be seen in FIG. 29, inner wall 746 of jet back 702 includesa conical portion 750 narrowing to a first aperture 752. Water ingressport 712 extends from a substantially cylindrical portion to a conicalcavity 754 which tapers to first aperture 752. In some examples, conicalcavity 754 may be similar in shape to conical portion 348 of nozzle 308.

Upstream portion 724 of jet body 704 includes a conical chamber 756.Conical chamber 756 may be shaped to receive nozzle 708 of jet back 702.In some examples, the shape of conical chamber 756 of jet body 704 (404)may be substantially complementary to the shape of conical portion 750.In some examples, the shape of conical chamber 756 may be significantlywider than conical portion 750 and may have a height that is equal to orgreater than the height of conical portion 750. A difference in size andshape between conical chamber 756 and conical portion 750 may be used toensure that there is a space between conical portion 750 and conicalchamber 756. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28-29, spacers 748 arealso included to ensure that there is space between conical portion 750and conical chamber 756.

In use, water passes through a water ingress port 710, through conicalcavity 754 and first aperture 752, and into the space between conicalportion 750 and conical chamber 756. Air ingress port 712 leads to thespace between conical portion 750 and conical chamber 756. The streamsof air and water may merge in the space between conical portion 750 andconical chamber 756 and/or in conical chamber 756 before passing throughsecond aperture 758. Second aperture 758 connects conical chamber 756with a receiving chamber.

In other words, water ingress port 710 extends from a firstsubstantially cylindrical portion to a second substantially cylindricalportion at a right angle to the first cylindrical portion. From thesecond substantially cylindrical portion, water ingress port 710proceeds to conical cavity 754 which leads to first aperture 752. Whenjet back 702 and jet body 704 (404) are coupled together, first aperture752 leads to a conical chamber 756. Air ingress port 712 also leads toconical chamber 756. The streams of air and water may merge in conicalchamber 756 before passing through second aperture 758.

As discussed above, jet body 704 is substantially identical to jet body404 and the jet insert for jet assembly 700 is substantially identicalto the jet insert for jet assembly 400. Accordingly, only an abbreviateddescription of jet body 704, the jet insert, and how the jet body andjet insert interface will be provided. The receiving chamber may beprimarily disposed within downstream portion 726 and includes asubstantially cylindrical cavity. Similar to the first style of jet body304, jet body 704 (jet body 404) further includes two substantiallyrectangular protrusions disposed on an inner wall of the receivingchamber which may be used as a spacing mechanism. Two hooks may bedisposed inside of the receiving chamber to facilitate coupling with ajet insert. The hooks may include an approximately U-shaped structurewherein one side is shorter than the other. In some examples, jet body704 (jet body 404) may include any suitable number of hooks, which mayinclude any suitable structure for engaging the jet insert.

As discussed with respect to jet assembly 300 and 400, jet assembly 700may include one or more versions of the jet insert and jet body 704(404). For example, one or more different sizes and/or styles of jetbody 704 (404) may be configured to couple with a single style of jetback 702 and each of the one or more versions of jet body 704 (404) maybe configured to couple with one or more versions of the jet insert. Inother words, a variety of styles of jet body may be installed inmultiple places on a hot tub 100 and different styles of jet insert maybe coupled to each jet body depending on the location within the hot tuband the features of the jet body. In some examples, jet assembly 700 mayinclude only one version of jet body 704 (404) and/or only one versionof the jet insert.

Only one size of jet body 704 (404) is shown in the drawings. In thestyle of jet body 704 (404) depicted in FIG. 28, the maximum diameter ofdownstream portion 726 is approximately 2.0 inches. Additionally,downstream portion 726 includes a flange 728 and a channel disposed onflange 728.

As discussed with respect to jet body 404, downstream portion 726 ofother sizes of jet body 704 (404) may include any suitable maximumdiameter. For example, the maximum diameter of downstream portion 726may be between approximately 1.0 inches and approximately 5.0 inches. Insome examples, four sizes of jet body may be used having maximumdiameters of approximately 2.0 inches, approximately 3.0 inches,approximately 4.0 inches, and approximately 5.0 inches respectively.With the exception of the diameter of downstream portion 726 and certainfeatures of the receiving chamber, each size of jet body 704 may besubstantially identical. Features of the receiving chamber, such as thehooks, may differ between versions of jet body 704 to best couple andposition a suitable version of the jet insert within each jet body. Eachsize of jet body 704 (404) may be used and installed in hot tub shell104 in substantially the same way. Jet body 704 may be used andinstalled in hot tub shell 104 in substantially the same way as jet body404. Further, each style of jet body couples with jet back 702 in asubstantially identical way.

During installation, jet assembly 700 may be assembled in multiple stepsand/or at multiple stations. A first step may include coupling the airand water ingress ports of jet back 702 with tubing 120. Jet back 702may couple with tubing 120 in a way that is substantially similar to theway that jet back 402 couples with tubing 120; the primary differencemay be the orientation of the tubing relative to the longitudinal axisof the jet back. Coupling the air and water ingress ports of jet back702 with tubing 120 may include any suitable process and/or structure.For example, tubing 120 may be slid over the ends of the air and wateringress ports of jet back 702 and a clamp (described in more detailbelow) may be used to prevent the tubing from sliding off. In someexamples, a lubricant (e.g. soapy water) may be used to facilitatesliding the tubing over the ingress ports. In some examples, tubing 120may include dual extrusion tubing. In some examples, tubing 120 mayinclude separate air and water tubes which may be installed one at atime on the air and water ingress ports respectively.

Another step in installing jet assembly 700 may include installing jetbody 704 (404) and the jet insert in or on hot tub shell 104. Forexample, jet body 704 (404) may be inserted into a hole formed in hottub shell 104. Jet body 704 (404) may be inserted from the interior ofhot tub shell 104 and may be secured to hot tub shell 104 by anysuitable mechanism configured to be water tight and secure. For example,jet body 704 (404) may attach to hot tub shell 104 via threadedengagement, glue, press-fitting, and/or any other suitable attachmentmechanism. In some examples, attaching jet body 704 (404) may includethreading the jet body into the hot tub shell and/or the use of acompressive gasket.

The jet insert may be coupled to jet body 704 (404) from the interior ofhot tub shell 104 after jet body 704 (404) has been installed in hot tubshell 104. As discussed above and with respect to jet assembly 400, jetbody 704 (404) is configured to securely couple with and position thejet insert. In some examples, jet body 704 (404) and/or the jet insertmay be installed from the exterior of hot tub shell 104. In someexamples, jet body 704 (404) and the jet insert may couple togetherthrough a hole in the hot tub shell, thereby attaching both parts to thehot tub shell.

Completing the installation of jet assembly 700 may include coupling jetback 702 (which is attached to tubing 120) to jet body 704 (404) (whichis attached to hot tub shell 104). Jet back 702 may be coupled with jetbody 704 (404) by a “press-and-click” method (described above). Forexample, jet back 702 and jet body 704 (404) may be aligned and thencompressed together to overcome the resistive force of spring biasedclips 732. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28-29, spring biased clips732 are configured to flex outward, away from a default position (e.g.,away from longitudinal axis 714), when sloped lip 738 slides overproximate end 744 of jet body 704 (404) and along an external portion ofupstream portion 724. Spring biased clips 732 are further configured tosnap back into the default position (e.g., back towards longitudinalaxis 714) when sloped lip 738 encounters groove 734 of jet body 704(404). Sloped lip 738 prevents spring biased clips 732, and thus jetback 702, from sliding towards proximate end 744 and off of jet body 704(404). Thus, jet back 702 and jet body 704 are coupled together.

In some examples, jet back 702 and jet body 704 (404) may be configuredto be able to be unlocked and/or uncoupled. Uncoupling jet back 702 fromjet body 704 (404) may be accomplished by moving spring biased clips 732away from jet body 704 (404) (e.g., away from longitudinal axis 714) andsliding the jet back off of the jet body. In some examples, a worker mayaccomplish this using a finger to move the spring biased clips and/orusing a tool. Releasably coupling the jet back and the jet body togethermay be advantageous as it may, among other advantages, allow a worker touncouple a jet back that was coupled to the wrong jet body by mistake.

Each of the components of jet assembly 700 (e.g., jet back 702, jet body704 (404), and a compatible jet insert) may be constructed out of anysuitable material. For example, the components of jet assembly 700 mayinclude any suitable thermoplastic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride(PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and/or any other suitablematerials having similar properties (i.e., stiffness etc.). Thecomponents of jet assembly 700 may be manufactured using any suitableprocess. For example, the manufacturing process may include the use ofinjection molding, compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. Insome examples, each component may be injection molded out of PVC.

Third Angled Back Embodiment

FIG. 30 depicts a sixth embodiment 800 of jet assembly 200, which alsoincludes an angled back jet back. The sixth embodiment of jet assembly200 is generally indicated at 800 and includes an angled jet back 802, ajet body 804, and a jet insert 806. Additionally, or alternatively, jetassembly 800 may be referred to as a jet, a jet assembly, an angled jet,an angled jet assembly, an angled back jet, and/or an angled back jetassembly. Additionally, or alternatively, jet back 802 may be referredto as an angled back jet back or an angled jet back. Additionally, oralternatively, the jet insert may be referred to as a jet face. Jet back802 is an example of jet back 202 described above, jet body 804 is anexample of jet back 204 described above, and jet insert 806 is anexample of jet insert 206 described above.

Many of the features of sixth embodiment 800 of jet assembly 200 are thesame as third embodiment 500. The primary difference between angled jetassembly 800 and straight back jet assembly 500, is the shape of angledjet back 802 compared with jet back 502. Whereas jet back 502 includesair and water ingress ports which are parallel to a longitudinal axis ofthe jet back, angled jet back 802 includes air and water ingress portswhich are not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the jet back.Accordingly, jet body 804 and jet insert 806 of angled jet 800 aresubstantially similar to jet body 504 and jet insert 506 of jet 500.Accordingly, similar components and/or features may be labeled withsimilar reference numbers and only an abbreviated discussion of suchfeatures will be provided here. The differences between the embodimentsare described in detail below.

FIG. 30 is a fully assembled isometric view of angled back jet 800 andcomponents thereof. As seen in FIG. 30, angled back jet assembly 800includes angled jet back 802, jet body 804, and jet insert 806. Jet body804 and jet insert 806 are substantially similar to jet body 504 and jetinsert 506 respectively. Jet back 802 is substantially similar to jetback 502; the primary difference between jet back 502 and angled jetback 802 is the configuration of the air and water ingress ports.Specifically, the air and water ingress ports extend at an angle withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the jet back. The air and wateringress ports of jet back 802 are substantially similar to the air andwater ingress ports of jet back 602 and jet back 702. In contrast withangled jets 600 and 700, water ingress port 810 does not include a lip(such as lip 620 or 720). Instead, water ingress port 810 has asubstantially smooth external surface.

Jet back 802 includes two ingress ports: a water ingress port 810 and anair ingress port 812. Water ingress port 810 is larger in diameter thanair ingress port 812 and at least a portion of water ingress port 810 isparallel to air ingress port 812. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 30,water ingress port 810 includes a base portion 816 and an extendedportion 818. Base portion 816 is substantially centered on longitudinalaxis 814 of the jet back and is substantially parallel with longitudinalaxis 814. Extended portion 818 may be oriented at any suitable anglerelative to base portion 816. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 30,extended portion 818 is oriented at an approximately 90-degree anglewith respect to base portion 816. Additionally, or alternatively, wateringress port 810 may be referred to as a water barb, an angled wateringress port, or an angled water barb.

Air ingress port 812 is substantially parallel with extended portion 818and may be offset from the center of jet back 802. Air ingress port 812may form substantially the same angle with longitudinal axis 814 asextended portion 818. For example, air ingress port 812 may form anapproximately 90-degree angle with longitudinal axis 814. In someexamples, air ingress port 812 may extend from the side of jet back 802.Additionally, or alternatively, air ingress port 812 may be referred toas an air barb, an angled air barb, or an angled air ingress port. Anexternal portion of air ingress port 812 may be smooth as can be seen inFIG. 30.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 30, jet back 802 is configured to couplewith dual extrusion tubing having two parallel passages joined at aperiphery (examples of dual extrusion tubing are discussed in moredetail below). In some examples, jet back 802 may be configured tocouple with any other suitable kind of tubing. Similar to jet back 502,jet back 802 further includes a central portion 822 configured to createa water tight seal with jet body 804. Central portion 822 is in directfluid communication with water ingress port 810 and air ingress port 812and may include any suitable shape depending on the application and onthe characteristics of the jet body. In this embodiment, central portion822 is substantially cylindrical as can be seen in FIG. 30.

As in previous embodiments, jet body 804 includes an upstream portion824 and a downstream portion 826 wherein the upstream portion isconfigured to be at least partially disposed within central portion 822of jet back 802. Jet back 802 includes an attachment mechanism extendingfrom a first end 830 of central portion 822 and configured to couple thejet back to jet body 804 in a secure manner. The attachment mechanism,like the attachment mechanism for jets 600 and 700, includes a pluralityof spring biased clips 832 which are configured to couple with aretaining feature, such as a groove 834, on jet body 804. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 30, jet back 802 includes four spring biasedclips 832. In some examples, spring biased clips 832 may include aresiliently flexible support 838 and a sloped lip 840 which isconfigured to engage with groove 834.

In some examples, the attachment mechanism may be configured to couplejet back 802 to jet body 804 while allowing jet back 802 to rotaterelative to jet body 804. In other words, in some examples, jet back 802may able to rotate about longitudinal axis 814 when coupled to jet body804 while maintaining a water- and air-tight seal; this may allow aworker to prevent adjacent jet assemblies from interfering with eachother.

Similar to previous embodiments, jet body 804 may include one or morerecesses disposed on upstream portion 824 and configured to contain oneor more O-rings. In some examples, jet back 802 may include a spacingmechanism configured to ensure sufficient space between a proximate endof upstream portion 824 of jet body 804 and an inner wall of jet back802. In some embodiments, jet back 802 may include a nozzle which issubstantially identical to nozzle 508 and which includes a structureformed as an integral part of jet back 802. For example, a compatiblenozzle may include any suitable structure formed as part of jet back 802and configured to change the direction and/or speed of the stream ofwater.

In some examples, an inner wall of jet back 802 may include a conicalportion narrowing to a first aperture and water ingress port 812 mayextend from a substantially cylindrical portion to a conical cavitywhich tapers to the first aperture. In some examples, the conical cavitymay be similar in shape to conical portion 348 of nozzle 308. In someexamples, upstream portion 824 of jet body 804 may include a conicalchamber shaped to receive a nozzle of jet back 802. In some embodiments,spacers may be included to ensure that there is space between theconical portion and the conical chamber. In use, the streams of air andwater may merge in the space between the conical portion and the conicalchamber and/or in the conical chamber before passing through to areceiving chamber.

In other words, water ingress port 810 extends from a firstsubstantially cylindrical portion to a second substantially cylindricalportion at a right angle to the first cylindrical portion. From thesecond substantially cylindrical portion, water ingress port 810 mayproceed to a conical cavity which leads to a first aperture. When jetback 802 and jet body 804 are coupled together, the first aperture maylead to a conical chamber. Air ingress port 812 may also lead to aconical chamber. The streams of air and water may merge in the conicalchamber before passing through to a receiving chamber.

As discussed above, jet body 804 is substantially similar to jet body504 and jet insert 806 is substantially identical to jet insert 506.Accordingly, only an abbreviated description of jet body 804 and jetinsert 806, and how the jet body and jet insert interface will beprovided. In some embodiments, jet body 804 may include a receivingchamber disposed within downstream portion 826. The receiving chambermay include any suitable structures configured to couple with andsuitably position jet insert 806. In some examples, the receivingchamber may include protrusions on an inner wall which may be used as aspacing mechanism and/or a plurality of hooks configured to couple withteeth on jet insert 806.

As discussed with respect to previous embodiments of jet assembly 200,jet assembly 800 may include one or more versions of jet insert 806 andjet body 804. For example, one or more different sizes and/or styles ofjet body 804 may be configured to couple with a single style of jet back802 and each of the one or more versions of jet body 804 may beconfigured to couple with one or more versions of jet insert 806. Inother words, a variety of styles of jet body may be installed inmultiple places on a hot tub 100 and different styles of jet insert maybe coupled to each jet body depending on the location within the hot tuband the features of the jet body. In some examples, jet assembly 800 mayinclude only one version of jet body 804 and/or only one version of jetinsert 806.

Only one size of jet body 804 is shown in the drawings. In the style ofjet body 804 depicted in FIG. 30, the maximum diameter of downstreamportion 826 is approximately 2.0 inches. Additionally, downstreamportion 826 includes a flange 828.

As discussed with respect to jet body 504, downstream portion 826 ofother sizes of jet body 804 may include any suitable maximum diameter.For example, the maximum diameter of downstream portion 826 may bebetween approximately 1.0 inches and approximately 5.0 inches. In someexamples, four sizes of jet body may be used having maximum diameters ofapproximately 2.0 inches, approximately 3.0 inches, approximately 4.0inches, and approximately 5.0 inches respectively. With the exception ofthe diameter of downstream portion 826, each size of jet body 804 may besubstantially identical. Some of the features of downstream portion 826may differ between versions of jet body 804 to best couple and positiona suitable version of jet insert 806 within each jet body. Each size ofjet body 804 may be used and installed in hot tub body 104 insubstantially the same way. Jet body 804 may be used and installed inhot tub shell 104 in substantially the same way as jet body 504.Further, each style of jet body couples with jet back 802 in asubstantially identical way.

During installation, jet assembly 800 may be assembled in multiple stepsand/or at multiple stations. A first step may include coupling the airand water ingress ports of jet back 802 with tubing 120. Jet back 802may couple with tubing 120 in a way that is substantially similar to theway that jet back 502 couples with tubing 120; the primary differencemay be the orientation of the tubing relative to the longitudinal axisof the jet back. Coupling the air and water ingress ports of jet back802 with tubing 120 may include any suitable process and/or structure.For example, tubing 120 may be slid over the ends of the air and wateringress ports of jet back 802 and a clamp (described in more detailbelow) may be used to prevent the tubing from sliding off. In someexamples, a lubricant (e.g. soapy water) may be used to facilitatesliding the tubing over the ingress ports. In some examples, tubing 120may include dual extrusion tubing. In some examples, tubing 120 mayinclude separate air and water tubes which may be installed one at atime on the air and water ingress ports respectively.

Another step in installing jet assembly 800 may include installing jetbody 804 and jet insert 806 on hot tub 104. For example, jet body 804may be inserted into a hole formed in the shell of hot tub 104. Jet body804 may be inserted from the interior of hot tub shell 104 and may besecured to hot tub shell 104 by any suitable mechanism configured to bewater tight and secure. For example, jet body 804 may attach to hot tubshell 104 via threaded engagement, glue, press-fitting, and/or any othersuitable attachment mechanism. In some examples, attaching jet body 804may include threading the jet body into the hot tub body and/or the useof a compressive gasket.

Jet insert 806 may be coupled to jet body 804 from the interior of hottub shell 104 after jet body 804 has been installed in hot tub shell104. As discussed above and with respect to jet assembly 500, jet body804 is configured to securely couple with and position jet insert 806.In some examples, jet body 804 and/or jet insert 806 may be installedfrom the exterior of hot tub shell 104. In some examples, jet body 804and jet insert 806 may couple together through a hole in the hot tubshell, thereby attaching both parts to the hot tub shell.

A further step in the installation of jet assembly 800 may includecoupling jet back 802 (which is attached to tubing 120) to jet body 804(which is attached to hot tub shell 104). Jet back 802 may be coupledwith jet body 804 by a “press-and-click” method (described above). Forexample, jet back 802 and jet body 804 may be aligned and thencompressed together to overcome the resistive force of spring biasedclips 832. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 30, spring biased clips 832are configured to flex outward, away from a default position (e.g., awayfrom longitudinal axis 814), when sloped lip 840 slides over proximateend 846 of jet body 804 and along an external portion of upstreamportion 824. Spring biased clips 832 are further configured to snap backinto the default position (e.g., back towards longitudinal axis 814)when sloped lip 840 encounters groove 834 of jet body 804. Sloped lip840 prevents spring biased clips 832, and thus jet back 802, fromsliding towards proximate end 846 and off of jet body 804. Thus, jetback 802 and jet body 804 are coupled together.

In some examples, jet back 802 and jet body 804 may be configured to beable to be unlocked and/or uncoupled. Uncoupling jet back 802 from jetbody 804 may be accomplished by moving spring biased clips 832 away fromjet body 804 (e.g., away from longitudinal axis 814) and sliding the jetback off of the jet body. In some examples, a worker may accomplish thisusing a finger to move the spring biased clips and/or using a tool.Releasably coupling the jet back and the jet body together may beadvantageous as it may, among other advantages, allow a worker touncouple a jet back that was coupled to the wrong jet body by mistake.

Each of the components of jet assembly 800 (e.g., jet back 802, jet body804, and jet insert 806) may be constructed out of any suitablematerial. For example, the components of jet assembly 800 may includeany suitable thermoplastic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC),acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and/or any other suitablematerials having similar properties (i.e., stiffness etc.). Thecomponents of jet assembly 800 may be manufactured using any suitableprocess. For example, the manufacturing process may include the use ofinjection molding, compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. Insome examples, each component may be injection molded out of PVC.

System Using Both Straight and Angled Jets

As described above, a single plumbing system may include both straightback jet assemblies and angled back jet assemblies. A combination ofstyles of jet backs may be advantageous in situations where a hot tubincludes areas having little space between hot tub shell 104 and hot tubframe 102.

As has been indicated, jets 300 and 600, jets 400 and 700, and jets 500and 800, are each substantially similar to the other except for theorientation of the air and water ingress ports. For example, jets 300and 600 are substantially the same except that jet 600 has air and wateringress ports oriented at an angle relative to longitudinal axis 614(which corresponds to longitudinal axis 314) whereas jet 300 has air andwater ingress ports that are parallel to longitudinal axis 314. Thus, ajet body 304/604 can be coupled with either a straight jet back 302 oran angled jet back 602. This may be useful in a plumbing system, as thesame kind of jet body can be installed in all jet locations on a hottub, and a worker can couple either a straight back jet back (302) or anangled back jet back (602) to the jet body as needed depending on thelocation within the hot tub. Accordingly, jets 300 and 600 may form ajet system.

In embodiments which include multiple sizes of jet body 304/604, eachsize of jet body may be configured to be able to couple with either astraight back jet back or an angled back jet back. In other words,different sizes of jet body may be installed in different locations onhot tub shell 104 depending on the application and/or the design of thehot tub, and either a straight back jet back or an angled back jet backmay be coupled to each jet body depending only on the amount of spaceavailable adjacent to the jet body. Further, the style and/or size ofthe jet insert which is coupled to each jet body depends on the size ofthe jet body and/or the design of the hot tub but may be independent ofthe style of jet back used at that location.

B. Illustrative Manifold Assembly

This section describes illustrative embodiments of a set of manifoldassembly components; see FIGS. 31-53.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram of a plumbing system showing how manifoldsmay be integrated into the system. A hot tub air and water supplymanifold assembly, generally indicated at 910, may be formed using oneor more manifold assembly components. Illustrative hot tub air and watersupply manifold assembly 910 may also be referred to as a manifoldassembly. The set of manifold assembly components may include an air andwater supply manifold 920, a male manifold adapter 930, a femalemanifold adapter 940, and a manifold end cap 950.

Additionally, or alternatively, air and water supply manifold 920 may bereferred to as a hot tub manifold, a hot tub air and water manifold, asupply manifold, and/or a manifold. Air and water supply manifold 920 isan example of manifold 118, described above. Additionally, oralternatively, male manifold adapter 930 may be referred to as a maleadapter. Male adapter 930 is an example of adapter 110, described above.Additionally, or alternatively, female manifold adapter 940 may bereferred to as a female adapter. Female adapter 940 is an example ofadapter 128, described above. Additionally, or alternatively, manifoldend cap 950 may be referred to as an end cap. End cap 950 is an exampleof end cap 130, described above. Accordingly, similar components may belabeled with similar reference numbers.

Manifold System Overview

The set of manifold assembly components includes each of the componentsused in forming a manifold assembly. The set of manifold assemblycomponents includes manifold 920, male adapter 930, female adapter 940,and end cap 950. Manifold assembly 910 is composed of any suitablenumber of each of the components in the set of manifold assemblycomponents and may include any suitable structures configured toseparately convey air and water from respective air and water sources toa plurality of lengths of tubing 120. For example, manifold assembly 910may include male adapter 930, any suitable number of manifolds 920, andfemale adapter 940 or end cap 950. In some examples, hot tub 100 mayinclude any suitable number of manifold assemblies 910. Each manifoldassembly 910 may include any suitable number of manifolds 920. In someexamples, manifold assembly 910 may not include female adapter 940and/or end cap 950.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram which includes two illustrative manifoldassemblies 910 and depicts an example of how manifold assembly 910 mayinteract with other plumbing components. As seen in FIG. 31, maleadapter 930 receives air and water from air tubing 116 and pipe 112respectively. Male adapter 930 is in fluid communication with manifold920. Each manifold 920 may be in fluid communication with tubing 120 andwith female adapter 940, end cap 950, and/or one or two other manifolds920. Sometimes manifold assembly 910 may include female manifold 940 andsometimes manifold assembly 910 may include end cap 950. This is shownin FIG. 31: one of the illustrative manifold assemblies 910 in FIG. 31includes female manifold 940 and the other illustrative manifoldassembly 910 includes end cap 950. In FIG. 31, both illustrativemanifold assemblies 910 include three manifolds 920, however, manifoldassembly 910 may include more or less than three manifolds 920. Each ofthe components of manifold assembly 910 and how the components maycouple together is described in more detail in the following sections.

Manifold 920 may include any suitable structures configured toseparately receive air and water from a second component, to pass afirst portion of the air and water as separate streams to a thirdcomponent, and to allow a second portion of the air and water to pass asseparate streams to tubing 120. The second component may include maleadapter 930 or another manifold 920. The third component may includefemale adapter 940, end cap 950, or another manifold 920. Manifold 920may receive air and water from the second component as separate air andwater supply streams.

Manifold 920 is configured to couple with the second and thirdcomponents and with tubing 120. For example, an upstream end of manifold920 may be configured to releasably couple with the second component anda downstream end of manifold 920 may be configured to releasably couplewith the third component. Manifold 920 may include any suitablestructure configured to form a water and/or air tight connection withthe second and third components such that manifold 920 is in fluidcommunication with the second and third components and such that thestreams of air and water remain separate. For example, manifold 920 mayinclude a water conduit which is in fluid communication with waterconduits of the second and third components and an air conduit which isin fluid communication with air conduits of the second and thirdcomponents.

Manifold 920 may further include any suitable structure configured toform a water and/or air tight connection with tubing 120 such thatmanifold 920 passes the second portion of the air and water to tubing120 as separate streams. For example, manifold 920 may include air andwater egress ports which may be in fluid communication with tubing 120.In some examples, coupling manifold 920 to tubing 120 may include usinga clamp.

Male adapter 930 may include any suitable structures configured toseparately receive air from air tubing 116 and water from pipe 112, andto pass the air and water as separate streams to a manifold 920. Maleadapter 930 is configured to couple with at least manifold 920, airtubing 116, and pipe 112. For example, an upstream end of male adapter930 may be configured to couple with air tubing 116 and with pipe 112,and a downstream end may be configured to releasably couple withmanifold 920. Male adapter 930 may include any suitable structureconfigured to form a water and/or air tight connection with air tubing116 and pipe 112 such that male adapter 930 is in fluid communicationwith air tubing 116 and pipe 112 and such that the streams of air andwater remain separate. Male adapter 930 may further include any suitablestructure configured to form a water and/or air tight connection withmanifold 920 such that male adapter 930 is in fluid communication withmanifold 920 and such that the streams of air and water remain separate.For example, male adapter 930 may include a water conduit which is influid communication with pipe 112 and with a water conduit of manifold920 and an air conduit which is in fluid communication with air tubing116 and with an air conduit of manifold 920.

Female adapter 940 may include any suitable structures configured toseparately receive air and water from manifold 920, and to pass the airand water as separate streams to air tubing 116 and pipe 112. Femaleadapter 940 is configured to couple with at least manifold 920, airtubing 116, and pipe 112. For example, an upstream end of female adapter940 may be configured to releasably couple with manifold 920, and adownstream end of female adapter 940 may be configured to couple withair tubing 116 and with pipe 112. Female adapter 940 may include anysuitable structure configured to form a water and/or air tightconnection with manifold 920 such that female adapter 940 is in fluidcommunication with manifold 920 and such that the streams of air andwater remain separate. Female adapter 940 may further include anysuitable structure configured to form a water and/or air tightconnection with air tubing 116 and pipe 112 such that female adapter 940is in fluid communication with air tubing 116 and pipe 112 and such thatthe streams of air and water remain separate. For example, femaleadapter 940 may include a water conduit which is in fluid communicationwith a water conduit of manifold 920 and with pipe 112 and an airconduit which is in fluid communication with an air conduit of manifold920 and with air tubing 116.

End cap 950 may include any suitable structures configured to end thestreams of air and water while keeping the streams of air and waterseparate. End cap 950 is configured to couple with at least manifold920. For example, an upstream end of end cap 950 may be configured toreleasably couple with manifold 920, and a downstream end of end cap 950may be sealed so as to prevent the flow of air and/or water out of theplumbing system. End cap 950 may include any suitable structureconfigured to form a water and/or air tight connection with manifold 920such that the flow of air and/or water ends and such that the streams ofair and water remain separate. For example, end cap 950 may include awater cap which couples with a water conduit of manifold 920 and an aircap which couples with an air conduit of manifold 920.

In a plumbing system according to the present teachings, one or moremanifolds 920 may be used in combination with one or more othercomponents. For example, male adapter 930 may provide air and water asseparate streams to a first manifold 920, the first manifold may be influid communication with one or more other manifolds 920, and end cap950 may be coupled with a last manifold 920. In some examples, femaleadapter 940 may be coupled with the last manifold in place of an endcap. In some examples, female adapter 940 may be couple with anotherlength of pipe 112 which leads to a second male adapter 930 which iscoupled to another group of manifolds. Together, male adapter 930, oneor more manifolds 920, and female adapter 940 or end cap 950 formmanifold assembly 910.

This section includes a description of two possible embodiments of setof manifold assembly components 900. A person of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that other embodiments or variations of eachcomponent are possible.

First Embodiment of a Manifold

FIGS. 32-36 depict various views of a first embodiment 1000 of hot tubair and water multi-port supply manifold 920 which is suitable for usein a first embodiment 912 of manifold assembly 910. Hot tub air andwater supply manifold 1000 is an example of manifold 920 describedbriefly above and forms part of a first embodiment of the set ofmanifold assembly components. Accordingly, similar components may belabeled with similar reference numbers.

FIG. 32 is an oblique isometric view of manifold 1000; FIG. 32 shows twoO-rings. FIG. 33 is a top plan view of manifold 1000 without theO-rings. FIG. 34 is a bottom plan view of manifold 1000. FIG. 35 is afront elevation view of manifold 1000 and FIG. 36 is a side elevationview of manifold 1000. FIG. 37 is an oblique isometric view of twomanifolds 1000 coupled together.

Manifold 1000 includes a water conduit 1002 defining a firstlongitudinal axis 1004. Water conduit 1002 may include any suitablestructure configured to receive water from the second component and todeliver at least a first portion of the water to the third component. Insome examples, water conduit 1002 may receive water from the secondcomponent as a water supply stream. For example, water conduit 1002 maybe a substantially cylindrical tube as in FIGS. 32-36. Manifold 1000further includes at least one air conduit 1006 defining a secondlongitudinal axis 1008. Air conduit 1006 may include any suitablestructure configured to receive air from the second component and todeliver at least a first portion of the air to the third component. Insome examples, air conduit 1006 may receive air from the secondcomponent as an air supply stream. For example, air conduit 1006 mayinclude a substantially cylindrical tube as in FIGS. 32-36.

In this embodiment, second longitudinal axis 1008 is substantiallyparallel to first longitudinal axis 1004 and air conduit 1006 includes aperiphery 1010 joined to a periphery 1012 of water conduit 1002 viasupport structure 1014. Support structure 1014 may include any suitablestructure for rigidly connecting air conduit 1006 to water conduit 1002.For example, support structure 1014 may include a rigid strut as bestseen in FIGS. 32-35. In some examples, second longitudinal axis 1008 mayhave any suitable orientation with respect to first longitudinal axis1004 and air conduit 1006 may be joined with water conduit 1002 in anysuitable manner.

Manifold 1000 may include any suitable number of water conduits 1002 andair conduits 1006. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-36,manifold 1000 includes two air conduits 1006 rigidly connected to onewater conduit 1002. In embodiments having two or more air conduits 1006,the two or more second longitudinal axes 1008 may have any suitabledisposition and/or orientation in relation to first longitudinal axis1004. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-36, two second longitudinalaxes 1008 are disposed on either side of, and lie in a plane with, firstlongitudinal axis 1004. That is, the two air conduits are disposed onopposite sides of the water conduit. In other words, in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 32-36, a first air conduit is joined to a first portionof the periphery of the water conduit, a second air conduit is joined toa second portion of the periphery of the water conduit, and the firstand second portions of the periphery of the water conduit are separatedfrom each other by approximately 180 degrees.

Manifold 1000 further includes a water egress port 1016 in fluidcommunication with water conduit 1002 and an air egress port 1018 influid communication with air conduit 1006. Water egress port 1016 andair egress port 1018 are disposed substantially parallel and adjacent toeach other and are configured to channel streams of water and air,respectively, to a length of tubing (such as tubing 120). Additionally,or alternatively, water egress port 1016 may be referred to as a waterbarb and/or air egress port 1018 may be referred to as an air barb. Insome examples, water egress port 1016 may be larger than air egress port1018.

Water egress port 1016 and air egress port 1018 may include any suitablestructures configured to form a water tight seal with tubing 120. Forexample, water egress port 1016 may include a lip or ridge 1020 as canbest be seen in FIGS. 35 and 36. Lip 1020 may include any suitablestructure configured to ensure a water tight seal between water egressport 1016 and a length of tubing (such as tubing 120). For example, lip1020 may include a sloped ridge as can best be seen in FIGS. 35 and 36.In some examples, air egress port 1018 may include a lip or otherfeature to ensure a seal. In some examples, an external portion of airegress port 1018 may be smooth as can best be seen in FIGS. 35 and 36.

Together water egress port 1016 and air egress port 1018 form a set ofegress ports 1022. Manifold 1000 may include one or more sets of egressports 1022. For example, the embodiment in FIGS. 32-36 includes two setsof egress ports 1022. In some examples, manifold 1000 may include anumber of sets of egress ports 1022 that is substantially the same asthe number of air conduits 1006 and each air egress port 1018 may be influid communication with a different air conduit 1006. In some examples,manifold 1000 may include a number of sets of egress ports 1022 that issubstantially the same as or greater than the number of air conduits1006 and two or more air egress ports 1018 may be in communication withthe same air conduit. In some examples, manifold 1000 includes only onewater conduit 1002 and all of the one or more water egress ports 1016may be in fluid communication with the same water conduit.

In the embodiment of manifold 1000 shown in FIGS. 32-36, manifold 1000includes one water conduit 1002, two air conduits 1006 separated byapproximately 180 degrees, and two sets of egress ports 1022. In thisembodiment, one air egress port 1018 is in communication with each airconduit 1006. In this embodiment, both sets of egress ports 1022 aredisposed on the top of manifold 1000, and each water egress port 1016and each air egress port 1018 are oriented substantially perpendicularto water conduit 1002 and air conduit 1006 respectively. In someembodiments, one or more of the sets of egress ports 1022 may bedisposed on the top of manifold 1000 and/or one or more of the sets ofegress ports 1022 may be disposed on the bottom of manifold 1000. Insome examples, water egress port 1016 and air egress port 1018 may haveany suitable orientation relative to water conduit 1002 and air conduit1006.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-36, each water egress port 1016 isdisposed on a central portion of manifold 1000 approximately equidistantfrom downstream end 1026 and upstream end 1024, and each air egress port1018 is disposed on a central portion of manifold 1000 approximatelyequidistant from downstream end 1030 and upstream end 1028. In someexamples, each water egress port 1016 and each air egress port 1018 maybe disposed on any suitable portion of water conduit 1002 and airconduit 1006 respectively and may be any suitable distance from arespective downstream and/or upstream end.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-36, each set of egress ports 1022 isconfigured to couple with dual extrusion tubing having two parallelpassages joined at a periphery (examples of dual extrusion tubing arediscussed below). In embodiments where each set of egress ports 1022 isconfigured to couple with dual extrusion tubing, water egress port 1016may be configured to couple with a first passage of the dual extrusiontubing and air egress port 1018 may be configured to couple with asecond passage of the dual extrusion tubing. In this way, the streams ofair and water are kept separate while being conveyed by the same lengthof tubing. In some examples, each set of egress ports 1022 may beconfigured to couple with any suitable kind of tubing. For example, eachset of egress ports 1022 may be configured to couple with two separatelengths of tubing, one which carries air and one which carries water. Insome examples, configuring set of egress ports 1022 to couple withdifferent kinds of tubing may include changing the spacing between theair and water egress ports and/or the dimensions of the air and wateregress ports.

Manifold 1000 may be further configured to couple with one or more othercomponents. For example, water conduit 1002 may include an upstream end1024 and a downstream end 1026 wherein upstream end 1024 is configuredto couple with the downstream end of a water conduit of the secondcomponent and downstream end 1026 is configured to couple with theupstream end of a water conduit of the third component. Similarly, airconduit 1002 may include an upstream end 1028 and a downstream end 1030wherein upstream end 1028 is configured to couple with the downstreamend of an air conduit of the second component and downstream end 1030 isconfigured to couple with the upstream end of an air conduit of thethird component. In some examples, either or both of the second andthird components may be another manifold 1000. Additionally, oralternatively, the second component may be male adapter 930 and thethird component may be female adapter 940 and/or an end cap 950.

To facilitate coupling with the one or more other components, manifold1000 further includes attachment mechanisms for securing manifold 1000to the second and third components. The attachment mechanisms mayinclude any suitable structures depending on the characteristics of themanifold and the other components. In some examples, water conduit 1002and air conduit 1006 may each include attachment mechanisms configuredto engage with attachment mechanisms disposed on the water and airconduits, respectively, of the second and/or third components.

For example, upstream end 1024 of water conduit 1002 may include one ormore spring biased clips configured to couple with a retaining post,hereinafter referred to as post clips 1032. Additionally, oralternatively, post clips 1032 may be referred to as spring-biased clipsor water conduit clips. Post clips 1032 may include any suitablestructure configured to couple with a retaining post disposed on thedownstream end of the water conduit of the second component. Forexample, post clips 1032 may include a pair of flanges 1034 and aprotrusion 1036 disposed on the end of each flange. Flanges 1034 may beflexibly resilient to allow the clip to flex around the retaining postand protrusions 1036 may be configured to engage with the retaining postof the second component (as shown in FIG. 37). Water conduit 1002 ofmanifold 1000 may also include a retaining post 1038 configured toengage with the third component.

Retaining post 1038 may include any suitable structure configured toengage with spring-biased clips similar to post clips 1032 on theupstream end of the water conduit of the third component. For example,retaining post 1038 may include a substantially pentagonal prism havinga height approximately the same as or greater than the height of thepost clips. In some examples, retaining post 1038 may be disposed on amiddle portion of water conduit 1002 that lies between upstream end 1024and downstream end 1026. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-36,retaining post 1038 is approximately equidistant from both upstream end1024 and downstream end 1026. In some examples, retaining post 1038 maybe disposed on any suitable portion of water conduit 1002.

Air conduit 1006 of manifold 1000 also includes attachment mechanismsfor engaging the air conduits of the second and third components. Forexample, upstream end 1028 of each air conduit 1006 may include one ormore spring biased clips configured to couple with a retaining ridge,hereinafter referred to as ridge clips 1040. Additionally, oralternatively, ridge clips 1040 may be referred to as spring-biasedclips or air conduit clips. Ridge clips 1040 may include any suitablestructure configured to couple with a retaining ridge disposed on theair conduit of the second component. For example, ridge clips 1040 mayinclude a resiliently flexible support 1042 and a sloped lip 1044 whichis configured to engage with the retaining ridge of the secondcomponent.

To couple with the third component, air conduit 1006 of manifold 1000may also include a retaining ridge 1046. Retaining ridge 1046 mayinclude any suitable structure configured to engage with spring-biasedclips (e.g., ridge clips) on the upstream end of the air conduit of thethird component. For example, retaining ridge 1046 may include a ridgewhich extends around substantially the entire perimeter of the airconduit. In some examples, retaining ridge 1046 may be disposed on amiddle portion of air conduit 1006 that lies between upstream end 1028and downstream end 1030. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-36,retaining ridge 1046 is approximately equidistant from both upstream end1028 and downstream end 1030. In some examples, retaining ridge 1046 maybe disposed on any suitable portion of air conduit 1006.

In addition to attachment mechanisms, manifold 1000 may include anysuitable structures and/or mechanisms for ensuring a water-tight sealbetween manifold 1000 and the second and third components. For example,both water conduit 1002 and air conduit 1006 may include one or morestructures configured to hold one or more O-rings. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 32-36, downstream end 1026 of water conduit 1002 includestwo recesses 1048 each of which is configured to retain an O-ring 1050.Recesses 1048 may include any suitable structure for retaining O-rings1050 depending on the characteristics of manifold 1000 and the thirdcomponent. For example, each recess 1048 may include a narrow channeldisposed on downstream end 1026 and extending around the entireperimeter of the water conduit.

In some examples, recesses 1048 may be configured such that the outsideedge of the O-ring is flush with or extends slightly beyond the surfaceof the downstream end of the water conduit as shown in FIG. 32. Allowingthe O-ring to extend slightly beyond the surface of the water conduitmay ensure a water tight seal by compressing the O-ring slightly betweenan inner surface of the water conduit of the third component and thebottom and sides of recesses 1048. In some examples, water conduit 1002includes two recesses 1048 to accommodate two O-rings 1050 as in FIGS.32-37. In some examples, water conduit 1002 may include any suitablenumber of O-rings in any suitable number of recesses.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-36, downstream end 1030 of each airconduit 1006 includes a recess 1052, configured to retain an O-ring1054. In some examples, air conduit 1006 may include a plurality ofrecesses 1052. Recesses 1052 may include any suitable structure forretaining O-rings 1054 depending on the characteristics of manifold 1000and the third component. For example, each recess 1052 may include anarrow channel disposed on downstream end 1030 extending around theentire perimeter of the air conduit.

In some examples, recesses 1052 may be configured such that the outsideedge of the O-ring is flush with or extends slightly beyond the surfaceof the downstream end of the air conduit as shown in FIG. 32. Allowingthe O-ring to extend slightly beyond the surface of the air conduit mayensure an air tight seal by compressing the O-ring slightly between aninner surface of the air conduit of the third component and the bottomand sides of recesses 1052. In some examples, air conduit 1006 includesone recess 1052 to accommodate one O-ring 1054 as in FIGS. 32-37. Insome examples, air conduit 1006 may include any suitable number ofO-rings in any suitable number of recesses.

As shown in FIGS. 32-37, water conduit 1002 and air conduit 1006 mayhave different diameters. Water conduit 1002 and air conduit 1006 mayhave any suitable dimensions depending on the application and thecharacteristics of manifold 1000. For example water conduit 1002 mayhave an outer diameter in the range of approximately 1.50 inches toapproximately 3.00 inches and a wall thickness in the range ofapproximately 0.05 inches to approximately 0.50 inches while air conduit1006 may have an outer diameter in the range of approximately 0.50inches to approximately 2.00 inches and a wall thickness in the range ofapproximately 0.05 inches to approximately 0.50 inches. In someexamples, the diameter of water conduit 1002 and the diameter of airconduit 1006 may not be constant. For example, upstream end 1024 ofwater conduit 1002 may have a larger diameter than downstream end 1026of water conduit 1002 and upstream end 1028 of air conduit 1006 may havea larger diameter than downstream end 1030 of air conduit 1006.

In some examples, upstream end 1024 of water conduit 1002 may have anouter diameter of approximately 2.80 inches and a wall thickness ofapproximately 0.12 inches and downstream end 1026 of water conduit 1002may have an outer diameter of approximately 2.50 inches and a wallthickness of approximately 0.12 inches. In some example, upstream end1028 of air conduit 1006 may have an outer diameter of approximately1.23 inches and a wall thickness of approximately 0.09 inches, anddownstream end 1030 of air conduit 1006 may have an outer diameter ofapproximately 1.00 inches and a wall thickness of approximately 0.09inches. In some examples, upstream end 1024 and downstream end 1026 ofwater conduit 1002 and upstream end 1028 and downstream end 1030 of airconduit 1006 may have any suitable diameters and wall thicknessesdepending on the application and the characteristics of manifold 1000and other components.

O-rings 1050 and O-rings 1054 may have any suitable dimensions,materials, and/or properties. In some examples, O-rings 1050 and O-rings1054 may have different dimensions, materials, and/or properties. Forexample, O-ring 1050 may be larger in diameter than O-ring 1054. Forexample, O-rings 1050 may have an outer diameter between approximately1.3 inches and approximately 3.2 inches and O-rings 1054 may have anouter diameter between approximately 0.3 inches and approximately 2.2inches. In some examples, O-rings 1050 may have an outer diameter ofapproximately 2.44 inches and O-rings 1054 may have an outer diameter ofapproximately 0.95 inches.

O-rings 1050 and 1054 also may have any suitable cross-sectionaldiameter. For example, O-rings 1050 may have a cross-sectional diameteror thickness between approximately 0.10 inches and approximately 0.20inches, and O-rings 1054 may have a cross-sectional diameter orthickness between approximately 0.07 inches and approximately 0.17inches. In some examples, O-ring 1050 may have a cross-sectionaldiameter of approximately 0.14 inches and O-ring 1054 may have across-sectional diameter of approximately 0.10 inches. In some examples,O-rings 1050 and 1054 may have any suitable outer diameter andcross-sectional diameter (thickness). O-rings 1050 and 1054 may beinstalled on manifold 1000 prior to assembling the plumbing system.O-rings 1050 and 1054 may be constructed out of any suitable material.For example, O-rings 1050 and 1054 may be constructed out of elastomersuch as any suitable thermosetting polymer and/or thermoplastic.

Manifold 1000, which also may be referred to as a “manifold body,” isconfigured to be coupled with two other plumbing system components.Manifold 1000 may be configured to be coupled with the second and thirdcomponents by a “press-and-click” method (described above). The“press-and-click” method may be facilitated by post clips 1032,retaining posts 1038, ridge clips 1040, and retaining ridge 1046. Forexample, manifold 1000 and the second component may be aligned and thencompressed together to overcome the resistive force of ridge clips 1040and post clips 1032. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-37, flanges1034 of post clips 1032 are configured to flex apart, away from adefault position (e.g., away from each other), when protrusions 1036slide over a retaining post on the second component. Post clips 1032 arefurther configured to snap back into the default position (e.g., backtowards each other), once protrusions 1036 pass by the retaining post onthe second component. Protrusions 1036 prevent post clip 1032, and thusmanifold 1000, from sliding off of the second component.

Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-37, ridge clips 1040 areconfigured to flex outward, away from a default position (e.g., awayfrom second longitudinal axis 1008), when sloped lip 1044 slides over aretaining ridge on the second component. Ridge clips 1040 are furtherconfigured to snap back into the default position (e.g., back towardssecond longitudinal axis 1008) once sloped lip 1044 passes over theretaining ridge on the second component. Sloped lip 1044 prevents ridgeclip 1040, and thus manifold 1000, from sliding off of the secondcomponent.

Manifold 1000 may be coupled with the third component via a similarmethod. For example, manifold 1000 and the third component may bealigned and then compressed together to overcome the resistive force ofthe ridge clips and post clips of the third component. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 32-37, retaining post 1038 is configured to force thespring biased clips on the air conduit of the third component (e.g.,post clips 1032) to flex outward (e.g., away from each other) when theclips begin to slide past retaining post 1038. Once a lip or protrusion(e.g., protrusion 1036) on the spring biased clips has passed retainingpost 1038, the clips snap back into the default position (e.g., backtowards each other). Retaining post 1038 prevents the third componentfrom sliding off the manifold by engaging with the lip or protrusion onthe spring biased clips of the third component.

Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-37, retaining ridge 1046is configured to force the spring biased clips on the air conduit of thethird component (e.g., ridge clips 1040) to flex outward (e.g., awayfrom second longitudinal axis 1008) when the clips begin to slide overretaining ridge 1046. Once a lip or protrusion (e.g., sloped lip 1044)on the spring biased clips has passed over retaining ridge 1046, theclips snap back into the default position. Retaining ridge 1046 preventsthe third component from sliding off of manifold 1000 by engaging with alip or protrusion on the spring biased clips of the third component.

In some examples, manifold 1000 and the second and third components maybe configured to be able to be unlocked and/or uncoupled. Uncouplingmanifold 1000 from the second component may be accomplished by movingflanges 1034 of the post clips away from each other (e.g., away from theretaining post), moving ridge clips 1040 away from the air conduit(e.g., away from second longitudinal axis 1008), and sliding themanifold off of the second component. Uncoupling manifold 1000 from thethird component may be accomplished by moving the flanges of the postclips on the third component away from each other (e.g., away fromretaining post 1038), moving the ridge clips of the third component awayfrom air conduit 1006, and sliding the third component off of manifold1000. In some examples, a worker may accomplish this using a finger orfingers to move the clips and/or using a tool. Releasably coupling themanifold and the other components together may be advantageous as it mayallow a worker to uncouple a manifold that was coupled to the wrongcomponent by mistake.

Manifold 1000 may be constructed out of any suitable material. Forexample, manifold 1000 may include any suitable thermoplastic polymersuch as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),and/or any other suitable materials having similar properties (i.e.,stiffness etc.). Manifold 1000 may be manufactured using any suitableprocess. For example, the manufacturing process may include the use ofinjection molding, compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. Insome examples, each component may be injection molded out of PVC.

First Embodiment of a Male Manifold Adapter

FIGS. 38-40 depict various views of a first embodiment 1100 of malemanifold adapter 930 which is suitable for use with manifold 1000 inmanifold assembly 912. Male manifold adapter 1100 is an example of maleadapter 930 described briefly above and, along with manifold 1000, formspart of the first embodiment of the set of manifold assembly components.Accordingly, similar components may be labeled with similar referencenumbers. Additionally, or alternatively, male manifold adapter 1100 maybe referred to as a male adapter.

Male manifold adapter 1100 is configured to couple with manifold 1000and to provide air and water as separate streams to manifold 1000.Accordingly, many features of male manifold adapter 1100 aresubstantially similar to manifold 1000; the primary differences betweenmale adapter 1100 and manifold 1000 are that male adapter 1100 lacks airand water egress ports and the upstream end is configured to coupledirectly with air and water supply tubing.

FIG. 38 is an oblique isometric view of male adapter 1100; FIG. 38 showstwo O-rings. FIG. 39 is a bottom plan view of male adapter 1100. FIG. 40is a side elevation view of male adapter 1100. FIGS. 39 and 40 do notshow the O-rings.

Male adapter 1100 includes a water conduit 1102 defining a firstlongitudinal axis 1104. Water conduit 1102 may include any suitablestructure configured to receive a stream of water from, for example,pipe 112, and to deliver the stream of water to, for example, manifold1000. In some examples, water conduit 1102 may be a substantiallycylindrical tube as in FIGS. 38-40. Male adapter 1100 further includesat least one air conduit 1106 defining a second longitudinal axis 1108.Air conduit 1106 may include any suitable structure configured toreceive a stream of air from, for example, air tubing 116, and todeliver the stream of air to, for example, manifold 1000. In someexamples, air conduit 1106 may include a substantially cylindrical tubeas in FIGS. 38-40. In this embodiment, second longitudinal axis 1108 issubstantially parallel to first longitudinal axis 1104 and air conduit1106 includes a periphery 1110 joined to a periphery 1112 of waterconduit 1102 via support structure 1114. Support structure 1114 mayinclude any suitable structure for rigidly connecting air conduit 1106to water conduit 1102. For example, support structure 1114 may include arigid strut as best seen in FIGS. 38-39. In some examples, secondlongitudinal axis 1108 may have any suitable orientation with respect tofirst longitudinal axis 1104 and air conduit 1106 may be joined withwater conduit 1102 in any suitable manner.

Male adapter 1100 may include any suitable number of water conduits 1102and air conduits 1106. For example, male adapter 1100 may include twoair conduits 1106 rigidly connected to one water conduit 1102 as bestseen in FIGS. 38-39. In embodiments having two or more air conduits1106, the two or more second longitudinal axes 1108 may have anysuitable disposition and/or orientation in relation to firstlongitudinal axis 1104. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS.38-40, two second longitudinal axes 1108 are disposed on either side of,and lie in a plane with, first longitudinal axis 1104. That is, the twoair conduits are disposed on opposite sides of the water conduit. Inother words, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 38-40, a first air conduitof the male adapter is joined to a first portion of the periphery of thewater conduit of the male adapter, a second air conduit of the maleadapter is joined to a second portion of the periphery of the waterconduit, and the first and second portions of the periphery of the waterconduit are separated from each other by approximately 180 degrees.

Note that since male adapter 1100 is configured to couple with manifold1000, male adapter 1100 generally has the same number of water conduitsas manifold 1000 and the same number of air conduits as manifold 1000.For example, in embodiments wherein manifold 1000 includes one waterconduit and two air conduits, male adapter 1100 will include one waterconduit and two air conduits. In examples wherein male adapter 1100 hasa different number of air and/or water conduits than manifold 1000, anysuitable structure may be used to plug, seal, and/or otherwise couplewith any conduits which do not couple with a conduit of the othercomponent.

Male adapter 1100 may be further configured to couple with one or morecomponents, such as with a segment of pipe 112, a length of air tubing116, and with a manifold, such as manifold 1000. For example, waterconduit 1102 may include an upstream end 1116 configured to couple withpipe 112 and a downstream end 1118 configured to couple with the waterconduit of manifold 1000. Similarly, air conduit 1106 may include anupstream end 1120 configured to couple with air tubing 116 and adownstream end 1122 configured to couple with the air conduit ofmanifold 1000. This description focuses on examples wherein malemanifold adapter 1100 is configured to couple with a manifold such asmanifold 1000, however, in some examples, male adapter 1100 may beconfigured to couple with any suitable component including anotheradapter, any suitable style of manifold, and/or an end cap.

Upstream end 1116 of water conduit 1102 and upstream end 1120 of airconduit 1106 may include any suitable structures and/or mechanisms tofacilitate coupling with pipe 112 and air tubing 116 respectively. Insome examples, coupling with pipe 112 may include an end of pipe 112being inserted inside upstream end 1116 of water conduit 1102. Forexample, upstream end 1116 of water conduit 1102 may include a smoothinner surface and may have an inner diameter 1124 that is substantiallythe same as an outer diameter of pipe 112. In some examples, innerdiameter 1124 may be between approximately 1.8 inches and approximately3.0 inches. In some examples, inner diameter 1124 may be approximately2.3 inches and/or any other suitable size.

In some examples, coupling with pipe 112 may include upstream end 1116of water conduit 1102 being inserted inside an end of pipe 112. Forexample, upstream end 1116 of water conduit 1102 may include a smoothouter surface and may have an outer diameter that is substantially thesame as an inner diameter of pipe 112. In some examples, an outerdiameter of upstream end 1116 may be between approximately 1.8 inchesand approximately 3.0 inches. In some examples, the outer diameter ofupstream end 1116 may be approximately 2.3 inches and/or any othersuitable size. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 38-40, upstream end 1116is configured to fit over an end of pipe 112 and upstream end 1116 ofwater conduit 1102 includes a flange or ridge 1126. In some examples,upstream end 1116 may include any suitable structure to facilitatecoupling with pipe 112 and/or to improve the structural integrity of thewater conduit.

Further, upstream end 1120 of air conduit 1106 is configured to couplewith air tubing 116. In some examples, coupling with air tubing 116 mayinclude an end of air tubing 116 being inserted inside upstream end 1120of air conduit 1106. For example, upstream end 1120 of air conduit 1106may include a smooth inner surface and may have an inner diameter 1128that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of air tubing 116.In some examples, inner diameter 1128 may be between approximately 0.8inches and approximately 1.5 inches. In some examples, inner diameter1128 may be approximately 0.9 inches and/or any other suitable size.

In some examples, coupling with air tubing 116 may include upstream end1120 of air conduit 1106 being inserted inside an end of air tubing 116.For example, upstream end 1120 of air conduit 1106 may include a smoothouter surface and may have an outer diameter that is substantially thesame as an inner diameter of air tubing 116. In some examples, an outerdiameter of upstream end 1120 may be between approximately 0.8 inchesand approximately 1.5 inches. In some examples, the outer diameter maybe approximately 0.9 inches and/or any other suitable size. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 38-40, upstream end 1120 is configured to fitover an end of air tubing 116 and upstream end 1120 of air conduit 1106includes a smooth external surface. In some examples, upstream end 1120may include any suitable structure to facilitate coupling with airtubing 116 and/or to improve the structural integrity of the airconduit.

To facilitate coupling with manifold 1000 (or any other suitable secondcomponent), male adapter 1100 further includes attachment mechanisms forsecuring male adapter 1100 to manifold 1000. The attachment mechanismsmay include any suitable structures depending on the characteristics ofthe male adapter and the manifold. In some examples, water conduit 1102and air conduit 1106 may each include attachment mechanisms configuredto engage with attachment mechanisms disposed on the water and airconduits, respectively of manifold 1000.

For example, downstream end 1118 of water conduit 1102 may include aretaining post 1130 configured to engage with the manifold. Retainingpost 1130 may include any suitable structure configured to engage withspring-biased clips (e.g., post clips 1032 of manifold 1000) on theupstream end of the water conduit of the manifold. For example,retaining post 1130 may include a substantially pentagonal prism havinga height approximately the same as or greater than the height of thespring-biased clips. In some examples, retaining post 1130 may bedisposed in a middle portion of water conduit 1102 that lies betweenupstream end 1116 and downstream end 1118 as in FIGS. 38 and 40. In someexamples, retaining post 1130 may be approximately equidistant from bothupstream end 1116 and downstream end 1118. In some examples, retainingpost 1130 may be disposed on any suitable portion of water conduit 1102.

Air conduit 1106 of male adapter 1100 may also include a retaining ridge1132. Retaining ridge 1132 may include any suitable structure configuredto engage with spring biased clips (e.g., ridge clips 1040 of manifold1000) on the upstream end of the air conduit of the manifold. Forexample, retaining ridge 1132 may include a ridge which extends aroundsubstantially the entire perimeter of the air conduit. In some examples,retaining ridge 1132 may be disposed on a middle portion of air conduit1106 that lies between upstream end 1120 and downstream end 1122 as inFIGS. 38 and 40. In some examples, retaining ridge 1132 may beapproximately equidistant from both upstream end 1120 and downstream end1122. In some examples, retaining ridge 1132 may be disposed on anysuitable portion of air conduit 1106.

In addition to attachment mechanisms, male adapter 1100 may include anysuitable structures and/or mechanisms for ensuring a water-tight sealbetween male adapter 1100 and manifold 1000 (or any other suitablesecond component). For example, both water conduit 1102 and air conduit1106 include one or more structures configured to hold one or moreO-rings. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 38-40, downstream end 1118 ofwater conduit 1102 includes one or more recesses 1134, each of which isconfigured to retain an O-ring 1136. Recesses 1134 may include anysuitable structure for retaining O-rings 1136 depending on thecharacteristics of male adapter 1100 and the second component.

For example, each recess 1134 may include a narrow channel disposed ondownstream end 1118 and extending around the entire perimeter of thewater conduit. In some examples, recesses 1134 may be configured suchthat the outside edge of the O-ring is flush with or extends slightlybeyond the surface of the downstream end of the water conduit as shownin FIG. 38. Allowing the O-ring to extend slightly beyond the surface ofwater conduit 1102 may ensure a water tight seal by compressing theO-ring slightly between an inner surface of the water conduit of themanifold and the bottom and sides of recesses 1134. In some examples,water conduit 1102 includes two recesses 1134 to accommodate two O-rings1136 as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 38-40. In some examples, waterconduit 1102 may include any suitable number of O-rings in any suitablenumber of recesses.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 38-40, downstream end 1122 of airconduit 1106 includes a recess 1138, configured to retain an O-ring1140. In some examples, air conduit 1106 may include a plurality ofrecesses 1138. Recesses 1138 may include any suitable structure forretaining O-rings 1140 depending on the characteristics of male adapter1100 and the second component. For example, each recess 1138 may includea narrow channel disposed on downstream end 1122 and extending aroundthe entire perimeter of the air conduit. In some examples, recesses 1138may be configured such that the outside edge of the O-ring is flush withor extends slightly beyond the surface of the downstream end of the airconduit as shown in FIG. 38. Allowing the O-ring to extend slightlybeyond the surface of the air conduit may ensure an air tight seal bycompressing the O-ring slightly between an inner surface of the airconduit of the second component and the bottom and sides of recesses1138. In some examples, air conduit 1106 includes one recess 1042 toaccommodate one O-ring 1140 as in FIGS. 38-40. In some examples, airconduit 1106 may include any suitable number of O-rings in any suitablenumber of recesses.

As shown in FIGS. 38-40, water conduit 1102 and air conduit 1106 mayhave different dimensions. Water conduit 1102 and air conduit 1106 mayhave any suitable dimensions depending on the application and thecharacteristics of male adapter 1100 and manifold 1000. Note that sincemale adapter 1100 is configured to couple with manifold 1000, waterconduit 1102 of male adapter 1100 generally has complimentary dimensionsto the water conduit of manifold 1000 and air conduit 1106 of maleadapter 1100 generally has complementary dimension to the air conduit ofmanifold 1000. In other words, an outer diameter of downstream end 1118of water conduit 1102 may be approximately the same as an inner diameterof the upstream end of the water conduit of manifold 1000, and an outerdiameter of downstream end 1122 of air conduit 1106 may be approximatelythe same as an inner diameter of the upstream end of the air conduit ofmanifold 1000. Thus, a downstream portion of male manifold 1100 may fitwithin an upstream portion of manifold 1000, forming a water tight seal.

FIGS. 46-47 show male manifold adapter 1100 and a manifold body 1000coupled together. FIG. 46 also shows a female manifold adapter 1200coupled to another manifold body 1000, where the two manifold bodies arecoupled together. FIG. 47 also shows an end cap coupled to anothermanifold body 1000, where the two manifold bodies are coupled together.

Water conduit 1102 and air conduit 1106 may have any suitable dimensionsdepending on the application and the characteristics of male adapter1100 and manifold 1000. For example, water conduit 1102 may have anouter diameter in the range of approximately 1.50 inches toapproximately 3.00 inches and a wall thickness in the range ofapproximately 0.05 inches to approximately 0.50 inches while air conduit1106 may have an outer diameter in the range of approximately 0.50inches to approximately 2.00 inches and a wall thickness in the range ofapproximately 0.05 inches to approximately 0.50 inches.

In some examples, the diameter of water conduit 1102 and the diameter ofair conduit 1106 may not be constant. For example, upstream end 1116 ofwater conduit 1102 may have a larger diameter than downstream end 1118of water conduit 1102 and upstream end 1120 of air conduit 1106 may havea larger diameter than downstream end 1122 of air conduit 1106. In someexamples, upstream end 1116 of water conduit 1102 may have an outerdiameter of approximately 2.80 inches and a wall thickness ofapproximately 0.12 inches and downstream end 1118 of water conduit 1102may have an outer diameter of approximately 2.60 inches and a wallthickness of approximately 0.12 inches. In some examples, upstream end1120 of air conduit 1106 may have an outer diameter of approximately1.14 inches and a wall thickness of approximately 0.09 inches, anddownstream end 1122 of air conduit 1106 may have an outer diameter ofapproximately 1.00 inches and a wall thickness of approximately 0.09inches. In some examples, upstream end 1116 and downstream end 1118 ofwater conduit 1102 and upstream end 1120 and downstream end 1122 of airconduit 1106 may have any suitable diameters and wall thicknessesdepending on the application and the characteristics of male adapter1100, manifold 1000, and other components.

O-rings 1136 and O-rings 1140 may have any suitable dimensions,materials, and/or properties. In some examples, O-rings 1136 and O-rings1140 may have different dimensions, materials, and/or properties. Insome examples, O-rings 1136 may be substantially identical to O-rings1050 on manifold 1000. In some examples, O-rings 1140 may besubstantially identical to O-rings 1054 on manifold 1000. O-ring 1136may be larger in diameter than O-ring 1140. For example, O-rings 1136may have an outer diameter between approximately 1.3 inches andapproximately 3.2 inches and O-rings 1140 may have an outer diameterbetween approximately 0.3 inches and approximately 2.2 inches. In someexamples, O-rings 1136 may have an outer diameter of approximately 2.44inches and O-rings 1140 may have an outer diameter of approximately 0.95inches.

O-rings 1136 and 1140 may have any suitable cross-sectional diameter.For example, O-rings 1136 may have a cross-sectional diameter orthickness between approximately 0.10 inches and approximately 0.20inches, and O-rings 1140 may have a cross-sectional diameter orthickness between approximately 0.07 inches and approximately 0.17inches. In some examples, O-ring 1136 may have a cross-sectionaldiameter of approximately 0.14 inches and O-ring 1140 may have across-sectional diameter of approximately 0.10 inches. In some examples,O-rings 1136 and 1140 may have any suitable outer diameter andcross-sectional diameter (thickness). O-rings 1136 and 1140 may beinstalled on male adapter 1100 prior to assembling the plumbing system.O-rings 1136 and 1140 may be constructed out of any suitable material.For example, O-rings 1136 and 1140 may be constructed out of elastomersuch as any suitable thermosetting polymer and/or thermoplastic.

As discussed, male adapter 1100 is configured to be coupled with anothercomponent such as manifold 1000. Male adapter 1100 may be configured tobe coupled with the second component by a “press-and-click” method(described above). The “press-and-click” method may be facilitated byretaining post 1130 and retaining ridge 1132. For example, male adapter1100 and the manifold may be aligned and then compressed together toovercome the resistive force of one or more spring biased clips on themanifold (e.g., ridge clips 1040 and post clips 1032), after which thecomponents are locked together.

For example, retaining post 1130 may be configured to couple with themanifold by engaging with suitably configured spring biased clips. Forexample, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 38-40, retaining post 1130 isconfigured to force the spring biased clips on the air conduit of themanifold (e.g., post clips 1032) to flex outward (e.g., away from eachother) when the clips begin to slide past retaining post 1130. Once alip or protrusion (e.g., protrusion 1036) on the spring biased clips haspassed retaining post 1130, the clips snap back into the defaultposition (e.g., back towards each other). Retaining post 1130 preventsthe manifold from sliding off of the male adapter by engaging with thelip or protrusion on the spring biased clips on the manifold.

Similarly, retaining ridge 1132 may be configured to couple with themanifold by engaging with suitably configured spring biased clips. Forexample, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 38-40, retaining ridge 1132 isconfigured to force the spring biased clips on the air conduit ofmanifold 1000 (e.g., ridge clips 1040) to flex outward (e.g., away fromsecond longitudinal axis 1108) when the clips begin to slide overretaining ridge 1132. Once a lip or protrusion (e.g., sloped lip 1044)on the spring biased clips has passed over retaining ridge 1132, theclips snap back into the default position. Retaining ridge 1132 preventsthe manifold from sliding off of the male adapter by engaging with a lipor protrusion on the spring biased clips on the manifold.

In some examples, male adapter 1100 and manifold 1000 (or any othersuitable second component) may be configured to be able to be unlockedand/or uncoupled. Uncoupling the manifold from male adapter 1100 may beaccomplished by moving the flanges of the post clips on the manifoldaway from each other (e.g., away from retaining post 1130), moving theridge clips on the manifold away from air conduit 1106 (e.g., away fromsecond longitudinal axis 1108), and sliding the manifold off of maleadapter 1100. In some examples, a worker may accomplish this using afinger or fingers to move the clips and/or using a tool. Releasablycoupling male adapter 1100 and the manifold together may be advantageousas it may allow a worker to uncouple a manifold that was couple to thewrong male adapter by mistake.

Male adapter 1100 may be constructed out of any suitable material. Forexample, male adapter 1100 may include any suitable thermoplasticpolymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS), and/or any other suitable materials having similarproperties (i.e., stiffness etc.). Male adapter 1100 may be manufacturedusing any suitable process. For example, the manufacturing process mayinclude the use of injection molding, compression molding, and/orextrusion methods. In some examples, each component may be injectionmolded out of PVC.

First Embodiment of a Female Manifold Adapter

FIGS. 41-43 depict various views of a first embodiment 1200 of femalemanifold adapter 940 which is suitable for use with manifold 1000 inmanifold assembly 912. Female manifold adapter 1200 is an example offemale adapter 940 described briefly above and, along with manifold 1000and male adapter 1100, forms part of the first embodiment of the set ofmanifold assembly components. Accordingly, similar components may belabeled with similar reference numbers. Additionally, or alternatively,female manifold adapter 1200 may be referred to as a female adapter.

Female manifold adapter 1200 is configured to couple with manifold 1000and to receive air and water as separate streams from manifold 1000.Accordingly, many features of female manifold adapter 1200 aresubstantially similar to manifold 1000; the primary differences betweenfemale adapter 1200 and manifold 1000 are that female adapter 1200 lacksair and water egress ports and the downstream end is configured tocouple directly with air and water supply tubing.

FIG. 41 is an oblique isometric view of female adapter 1200. FIG. 42 isa bottom plan view of female adapter 1200. FIG. 43 is a side elevationview of female adapter 1200.

Female adapter 1200 includes a water conduit 1202 defining a firstlongitudinal axis 1204. Water conduit 1202 may include any suitablestructure configured to receive a stream of water from, for example,manifold 1000 and to deliver the stream of water to, for example, pipe112. In some examples, water conduit 1202 may be a substantiallycylindrical tube as in FIGS. 41-43. Female adapter 1200 further includesat least one air conduit 1206 defining a second longitudinal axis 1208.Air conduit 1206 may include any suitable structure configured toreceive a stream of air from, for example, manifold 1000, and to deliverthe stream of air to, for example, air tubing 116.

In some examples, air conduit 1206 may include a substantiallycylindrical tube as in FIGS. 41-43. In this embodiment, secondlongitudinal axis 1208 is substantially parallel to first longitudinalaxis 1204 and air conduit 1206 includes a periphery 1210 joined to aperiphery 1212 of water conduit 1202 via support structure 1214. Supportstructure 1214 may include any suitable structure for rigidly connectingair conduit 1206 to water conduit 1202. For example, support structure1214 may include a rigid strut as best seen in FIGS. 41-43. In someexamples, second longitudinal axis 1208 may have any suitableorientation with respect to first longitudinal axis 1204 and air conduit1206 may be joined with water conduit 1202 in any suitable manner.

Female adapter 1200 may include any suitable number of water conduits1202 and air conduits 1206. For example, female adapter 1200 may includetwo air conduits 1206 rigidly connected to one water conduit 1202 asbest seen in FIGS. 41-43. In embodiments having two or more air conduits1206, the two or more second longitudinal axes 1208 may have anysuitable disposition and/or orientation in relation to firstlongitudinal axis 1204. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS.41-43, two second longitudinal axes 1208 are disposed on either side of,and lie in a plane with, first longitudinal axis 1204. That is, the twoair conduits are disposed on opposite sides of the water conduit. Inother words, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 41-43, a first air conduitof the female adapter is joined to a first portion of the periphery ofthe water conduit of the female adapter, a second air conduit of thefemale adapter is joined to a second portion of the periphery of thewater conduit, and the first and second portions of the periphery of thewater conduit are separated from each other by approximately 180degrees.

Note that since female adapter 1200 is configured to couple withmanifold 1000, female adapter 1200 generally has the same number ofwater conduits as manifold 1000 and the same number of air conduits asmanifold 1000. For example, in embodiments wherein manifold 1000includes one water conduit and two air conduits, female adapter 1200will include one water conduit and two air conduits. In examples whereinfemale adapter 1200 has a different number of air and/or water conduitsthan manifold 1000, any suitable structure may be used to plug, seal,and/or otherwise couple with any conduits which do not couple with aconduit of the other component.

Female adapter 1200 may be further configured to couple with one or morecomponents, such as a manifold (for example, manifold 1000), a segmentof pipe 112, and a length of air tubing 116. For example, water conduit1202 may include an upstream end 1216 configured to couple with thewater conduit of manifold 1000 and a downstream end 1218 configured tocouple with pipe 112. Similarly, air conduit 1206 may include anupstream end 1220 configured to couple with the air conduit of manifold1000 and a downstream end 1122 configured to couple with air tubing 116.This description focuses on examples wherein female manifold adapter1200 is configured to couple with a manifold such as manifold 1000,however, in some examples, female adapter 1200 may be configured tocouple with any suitable component including another adapter and/or anysuitable style of manifold.

To facilitate coupling with manifold 1000 (or any other suitablecomponent), female adapter 1200 further includes attachment mechanismsfor securing female adapter 940 to manifold 1000. The attachmentmechanisms may include any suitable structures depending on thecharacteristics of the adapter, the manifold, and/or other components.In some examples, water conduit 1202 and air conduit 1206 may eachinclude attachment mechanisms to engage with attachment mechanismsdisposed on the water and air conduits, respectively, of the manifold.

For example, upstream end 1216 of water conduit 1202 may include one ormore spring biased clips configured to couple with a retaining post,hereinafter referred to as post clips 1228. Additionally, oralternatively, post clips 1228 may be referred to as spring-biased clipsor water conduit clips. Post clips 1228 may include any suitablestructure configured to couple with a retaining post disposed on thedownstream end of the water conduit of the manifold. For example, postclips 1228 may include a pair of flanges 1230 and a protrusion or lip1232 disposed on the end of each flange 1230. Flanges 1230 may beflexibly resilient to allow the clip to flex around the retaining postand protrusions FF24 may be configured to engage with the retaining postof the manifold (as shown in FIG. 46).

Air conduit 1206 of female adapter 1200 also includes attachmentmechanisms for engaging with the air conduit of the manifold (or anyother suitable component). For example, upstream end 1220 of each airconduit 1206 may include one or more spring biased clips configured tocouple with a retaining ridge, hereinafter referred to as ridge clips1234. Additionally, or alternatively, ridge clips 1234 may be referredto as spring-biased clips or air conduit clips. Ridge clips 1234 mayinclude any suitable structure configured to couple with a retainingridge disposed on the air conduit of the manifold. For example, ridgeclips 1234 may include a resiliently flexible support 1236 and a slopedlip 1238 which is configured to engage with the retaining ridge on themanifold.

Downstream end 1218 of water conduit 1202 and downstream end 1222 of airconduit 1206 may include any suitable structures and/or mechanisms tofacilitate coupling with pipe 112 and air tubing 116 respectively. Insome examples, coupling with pipe 112 may include an end of pipe 112being inserted inside downstream end 1218 of water conduit 1202. Forexample, downstream end 1218 of water conduit 1202 may include a smoothinner surface and may have an inner diameter 1224 that is substantiallythe same as an outer diameter of pipe 112. In some examples, innerdiameter 1224 may be between approximately 1.8 inches and approximately3.0 inches. In some examples, inner diameter 1224 may be approximately2.12 inches and/or any other suitable size. In some examples, couplingwith pipe 112 may include downstream end 1218 of water conduit 1202being inserted inside an end of pipe 112.

For example, downstream end 1218 of water conduit 1202 may include asmooth outer surface and may have an outer diameter that issubstantially the same as an inner diameter of pipe 112. In someexamples, an outer diameter of downstream end 1218 may be betweenapproximately 1.8 inches and approximately 3.0 inches. In some examples,the outer diameter may be approximately 2.12 inches and/or any othersuitable size. In some examples, downstream end 1218 of water conduit1202 may include any suitable structure to facilitate coupling with pipe112 and/or to improve the structural integrity of the water conduit. Insome examples, downstream end 1218 of water conduit 1202 may include aflange or ridge.

Further, downstream end 1222 of air conduit 1206 is configured to couplewith air tubing 116. In some examples, coupling with air tubing 116 mayinclude an end of air tubing 116 being inserted inside downstream end1222 of air conduit 1206. For example, downstream end 1222 of airconduit 1206 may include a smooth inner surface and may have an innerdiameter 1226 that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of airtubing 116. In some examples, inner diameter 1226 may be betweenapproximately 0.50 inches and approximately 1.50 inches. In someexamples, inner diameter 1226 may be approximately 0.88 inches and/orany other suitable size.

In some examples, coupling with air tubing 116 may include downstreamend 1222 of air conduit 1206 being inserted inside an end of air tubing116. For example, downstream end 1222 of air conduit 1206 may include asmooth outer surface and may have an outer diameter that issubstantially the same as an inner diameter of air tubing 116. In someexamples, an outer diameter of downstream end 1222 may be betweenapproximately 0.50 inches and approximately 1.50 inches. In someexamples, the outer diameter may be approximately 0.88 inches and/or anyother suitable size. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 41-43, downstreamend 1222 of air conduit 1206 includes a smooth external surface. In someexamples, downstream end 1222 may include any suitable structure tofacilitate coupling with air tubing 116 and/or to improve the structuralintegrity of the air conduit.

In addition to attachment mechanisms, female adapter 1200 may includeany suitable structures and/or mechanisms for ensuring a water-tightseal between female adapter 1200 and pipe 112, air tubing 116, and/ormanifold 1000 (or any other suitable second component). In someexamples, female adapter 1200 may include structures for holding and/orengaging with O-rings and/or any other suitable mechanical seal.

As shown in FIGS. 41-43, water conduit 1202 and air conduit 1206 mayhave different dimensions. Water conduit 1202 and air conduit 1206 mayhave any suitable dimensions depending on the application and thecharacteristics of female adapter 1200 and manifold 1000. Note thatsince female adapter 1200 is configured to couple with manifold 1000,water conduit 1202 of female adapter 1200 generally has complimentarydimensions to the water conduit of manifold 1000 and air conduit 1206 offemale adapter 1200 generally has complementary dimension to the airconduit of manifold 1000. In other words, an inner diameter of upstreamend 1216 of water conduit 1202 may be approximately the same as an outerdiameter of the downstream end of the water conduit of manifold 1000,and an inner diameter of upstream end 1220 of air conduit 1206 may beapproximately the same as an outer diameter of the downstream end of theair conduit of manifold 1000. Thus, a downstream portion of manifold1000 may fit within an upstream portion of female manifold 1200, forminga water tight seal. FIG. 46 shows female manifold adapter 1200 andmanifold 1000 coupled together.

Water conduit 1202 and air conduit 1206 may have any suitable diametersdepending on the application and the characteristics of female adapter1200 and manifold 1000. For example, water conduit 1202 may have anouter diameter in the range of approximately 1.50 inches toapproximately 3.00 inches and a wall thickness in the range ofapproximately 0.05 inches to approximately 0.50 inches while air conduit1206 may have an outer diameter in the range of approximately 0.50inches to approximately 2.00 inches and a wall thickness in the range ofapproximately 0.05 inches to approximately 0.50 inches.

In some examples, the diameter of water conduit 1202 and the diameter ofair conduit 1206 may not be constant. For example, upstream end 1216 ofwater conduit 1202 may have a larger diameter than downstream end 1218of water conduit 1202 and upstream end 1220 of air conduit 1206 may havea larger diameter than downstream end 1222 of air conduit 1206. In someexamples, upstream end 1216 of water conduit 1202 may have an outerdiameter of approximately 2.81 inches and a wall thickness ofapproximately 0.14 inches and downstream end 1218 of water conduit 1202may have an outer diameter of approximately 2.73 inches and a wallthickness of approximately 0.14 inches. In some example, upstream end1220 of air conduit 1206 may have an outer diameter of approximately1.23 inches and a wall thickness of approximately 0.11 inches, anddownstream end 1222 of air conduit 1206 may have an outer diameter ofapproximately 1.09 inches and a wall thickness of approximately 0.11inches. In some examples, upstream end 1216 and downstream end 1218 ofwater conduit 1202 and upstream end 1220 and downstream end 1222 of airconduit 1206 may have any suitable diameters and wall thicknessesdepending on the application and the characteristics of female adapter1200, manifold 1000, and other components.

As discussed, female adapter 1200 is configured to be coupled withanother component such as manifold 1000. Female adapter 1200 may beconfigured to be coupled with the second component by a“press-and-click” method (described above). The “press-and-click” methodmay be facilitated by post clips 1228 and ridge clips 1234. For example,female adapter 1200 and the manifold may be aligned and then compressedtogether to overcome the resistive force of post clips 1228 and ridgeclips 1234, after which the components are locked together.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 41-43, flanges 1230 of post clips 1228are configured to flex apart, away from a default position (e.g., awayfrom each other), when protrusions 1232 slide over a retaining post onthe manifold. Post clips 1228 are further configured to snap back intothe default position (e.g., back towards each other), once protrusions1232 pass by the retaining post on the manifold. Protrusions 1232prevent post clip 1228, and thus female adapter 1200, from sliding offof the manifold. Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 41-43,ridge clips 1234 are configured to flex outward, away from a defaultposition (e.g., away from second longitudinal axis 1208), when slopedlip 1238 slides over a retaining ridge on the manifold. Ridge clips 1234are further configured to snap back into the default position (e.g.,back towards second longitudinal axis 1208) once sloped lip 1238 passesover the retaining ridge on the manifold. Sloped lip 1238 prevents ridgeclip 1234, and thus female adapter 1200, from sliding off of themanifold.

In some examples, female adapter 1200 and manifold 1000 (or any othersuitable second component) may be configured to be able to be unlockedand/or uncoupled. Uncoupling female adapter 1100 from the manifold maybe accomplished by moving flanges 1230 of post clips 1228 away from eachother (e.g., away from the retaining post on the manifold), moving ridgeclips 1234 away from the air conduit of the manifold (e.g., away fromsecond longitudinal axis 1208), and sliding female adapter 1200 off ofmanifold 1000. In some examples, a worker may accomplish this using afinger or fingers to move the clips and/or using a tool. Releasablycoupling female adapter 1200 and the manifold together may beadvantageous as it may allow a worker to uncouple a female adapter thatwas coupled to the wrong manifold by mistake.

Female adapter 1200 may be constructed out of any suitable material. Forexample, female adapter 1200 may include any suitable thermoplasticpolymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS), and/or any other suitable materials having similarproperties (i.e., stiffness etc.). Female adapter 1200 may bemanufactured using any suitable process. For example, the manufacturingprocess may include the use of injection molding, compression molding,and/or extrusion methods. In some examples, each component may beinjection molded out of PVC.

First Embodiment of a Manifold End Cap

FIGS. 44-45 depict various views of a first embodiment 1300 of manifoldend cap suitable for use with manifold 1000 in manifold assembly 912.Manifold end cap 1300 is an example of manifold end cap 950 describedbriefly above with respect to FIG. 31. Together, manifold end cap 1300,manifold 1000, male adapter 1100, and female adapter 1200 form the firstset of manifold assembly components. Accordingly, similar components maybe labeled with similar reference numbers. Additionally, oralternatively, manifold end cap 1300 may be referred to as an end cap.

End cap 1300 is configured to couple with manifold 1000 and end thestreams of air and water from manifold 1000 while ensuring that thestreams of air and water remain separate. Accordingly, many features ofend cap 1300 are substantially similar to manifold 1000; the primarydifferences between end cap 1300 and manifold 1000 are that end cap 1300lacks air and water egress ports and the downstream end is configured toend the streams of air and water.

FIG. 44 is an oblique isomeric view of end cap 1300. FIG. 45 is a bottomplan view of end cap 1300.

End cap 1300 includes a water closure 1302 defining a first longitudinalaxis 1304. Water closure 1302 may include any suitable structureconfigured to couple with a water conduit of manifold 1000 and to endthe flow of water. In some examples, water closure 1302 may include asubstantially cylindrical tube portion which ends in a cap as in FIG.44. End cap 1300 further includes at least one air closure 1306 defininga second longitudinal axis 1308. Air closure 1306 may include anysuitable structure configured to couple with an air conduit of manifold1000 and to end the flow of air. In some examples, air closure 1306 mayinclude a substantially cylindrical tube portion which ends in a cap asin FIG. 44.

In this embodiment, second longitudinal axis 1308 is substantiallyparallel to first longitudinal axis 1304 and air closure 1306 includes aperiphery 1310 joined to a periphery 1312 of water closure 1302 viasupport structure 1314. Support structure 1314 may include any suitablestructure for rigidly connecting air closure 1306 to water closure 1302.For example, support structure 1314 may include a rigid strut as seen inFIGS. 44 and 45. In some examples, second longitudinal axis 1308 may beany suitable orientation with respect to first longitudinal axis 1304and air closure 1306 may be joined with water closure 1302 in anysuitable manner.

End cap 1300 may include any suitable number of water closure 1302 andair closure 1306. For example, end cap 1300 may include two air closure1306 rigidly connected to one water closure 1302 as in FIGS. 44-45. Inembodiments having two or more air closure 1306, the two or more secondlongitudinal axes 1308 may have any suitable disposition and/ororientation in relation to first longitudinal axis 1304. For example, inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 44-45, two second longitudinal axes 1308are disposed on either side of, and lie in a plane with, firstlongitudinal axis 1304. That is, the two air closures are disposed onopposite sides of the water closure. In other words, in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 44-45, a first air closure of the end cap is joined to afirst portion of the periphery of the water closure of the end cap, asecond air closure of the end cap is joined to a second portion of theperiphery of the water closure, and the first and second portions of theperiphery of the water closure are separated from each other byapproximately 180 degrees.

Note that since end cap 1300 is configured to couple with manifold 1000,end cap 1300 generally has a number of water closures that is equal tothe number of water conduits on manifold 1000 and a number of airclosures that is equal to the number of air conduits on manifold 1000.For example, in embodiments wherein manifold 1000 includes one waterconduit and two air conduits, end cap 1300 will include one waterclosure and two air closures. In examples wherein end cap 1300 has adifferent number of air and/or water conduits than manifold 1000, anysuitable structure may be used to plug, seal, and/or otherwise couplewith any conduits of the manifold which do not couple with a closure ofthe end cap.

End cap 1300 may be configured to couple with one or more components,such as a manifold (for example, manifold 1000). For example, waterclosure 1302 may include an upstream end 1316 configured to couple withthe water conduit of manifold 1000. Similarly, air closure 1306 mayinclude an upstream end 1318 configured to couple with the air conduitof manifold 1000. This description focuses on examples wherein end cap1300 is configured to couple with a manifold such as manifold 1000,however, in some examples, end cap 1300 may be configured to couple withany suitable component including an adapter, a manifold, a water pipe,air tubing, and/or any other suitable component.

Further, water closure 1302 includes a downstream end 1320 configured toend the flow of water and to seal the water passageway. For example,downstream end 1320 may include a water cap 1322. Similarly, air closure1306 includes a downstream end 1324 configured to end the flow of airand to seal the air passageway. For example, downstream end 1324 mayinclude an air cap 1326. Water cap 1322 and air cap 1326 may includesubstantially similar structures; the primary difference between watercap 1322 and air cap 1326 may be the size of each cap. Water cap 1322and air cap 1326 may include any suitable structure for ending the flowsof water and air respectively. In some examples, water cap 1322 and aircap 1326 may be slightly convex and/or curved outward from the interiorof the water and air conduits of the manifold. Such a curvature mayincrease the structural integrity of the end cap and/or may fit a chosenaesthetic. In some examples, water cap 1322 and air cap 1326 may beflat.

To facilitate coupling with manifold 1000 (or any other suitablecomponent), end cap 1300 further includes attachment mechanisms forsecuring end cap 1300 to manifold 1000. The attachment mechanisms mayinclude any suitable structures depending on the characteristics of theend cap, the manifold, and/or other components. In some examples, waterclosure 1302 and air closure 1306 may each include attachment mechanismsto engage with attachment mechanisms disposed on the water and airconduits, respectively, of the manifold.

For example, upstream end 1316 of water closure 1302 may include one ormore spring biased clips configured to couple with a retaining post,hereinafter referred to as post clips 1328. Additionally, oralternatively, post clips 1328 may be referred to as spring-biased clipsor water closure clips. Post clips 1328 may include any suitablestructure configured to couple with a retaining post disposed on thedownstream end of the water conduit of the manifold. For example, postclips 1328 may include a pair of flanges 1330 and a protrusion or lip1332 disposed on the end of each flange 1330. Flanges 1330 may beflexibly resilient to allow the clip to flex around the retaining postand protrusions 1332 may be configured to engage with the retaining postof the manifold (as shown in FIG. 47).

Air closure 1306 of end cap 1300 also includes attachment mechanisms forengaging with the air conduit of the manifold (or any other suitablecomponent). For example, upstream end 1318 of each air closure 1306 mayinclude one or more spring biased clips configured to couple with aretaining ridge, hereinafter referred to as ridge clips 1334.Additionally, or alternatively, ridge clips 1334 may be referred to asspring-biased clips or air conduit clips. Ridge clips 1334 may includeany suitable structure configured to couple with a retaining ridgedisposed on the air conduit of the manifold. For example, ridge clips1334 may include a resiliently flexible support 1336 and a sloped lip1338 which is configured to engage with the retaining ridge on themanifold.

In addition to attachment mechanisms, end cap 1300 may include anysuitable structures and/or mechanisms for ensuring a water-tight sealbetween end cap 1300 and manifold 1000 (or any other suitable secondcomponent). In some examples, end cap 1300 may include structures forholding and/or engaging with O-rings and/or any other suitablemechanical seal.

End cap 1300 may further include a water plug 1340 and an air plug 1342.Water plug 1340 and air plug 1342 may include any suitable structureconfigured to seal off unused egress ports on manifold 1000. Forexample, if hot tub 100 includes an odd number of jets, one set ofegress ports 1022 on manifold 1000 may not be coupled to tubing 120. Toensure that the plumbing system is sealed, the unused set of egressports must be plugged. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 44-45, end cap1300 includes removable water plug 1340 and removable air plug 1342. Inuse, water plug 1340 and air plug 1342 may be removed from end cap 1300and used to seal the unused set of egress ports on manifold 1000.Removing water plug 1340 and air plug 1342 from end cap 1300 may includecutting and/or breaking a support strut 1344 which attaches the plug toend cap 1300. In some examples, cutting and/or breaking support strut1344 may be accomplished using any suitable tool such as scissors, wirecutters, and/or a knife. In some examples, water plug 1340 and air plug1342 may be removed from end cap 1300 without the use of a tool. Forexample, support strut 1344 may be configured to tear and/or break whentwisted, bent, and/or pulled.

Water plug 1340 may include any suitable structure configured to seal anunused water egress port. For example, water plug 1340 may include asubstantially cylindrical stopper. A diameter of water plug 1340 may beapproximately the same as an inner diameter of water egress port 1016.Water plug 1340 may include a flange 1346 configured to prevent thewater plug from sliding too far into water egress port 1016. In someexamples, water plug 1340 may be press fit into water egress port 1016.In some examples, the friction between water plug 1340 and the inside ofwater egress port 1016 may be sufficient to hold the water plug inplace. In some examples, sealing water egress port 1016 with water plug1340 may include applying glue, primer, and/or any suitable adhesive tothe outside of water plug 1340 and/or the inside of water egress port1016. In some examples, water plug 1340 may include a water cap whichfits over the outside of water egress port 1016 and is held in place byfriction and/or an adhesive.

Air plug 1342 may include any suitable structure configured to seal anunused air egress port. For example, air plug 1342 may include asubstantially cylindrical stopper. A diameter of air plug 1342 may beapproximately the same as an inner diameter of air egress port 1018. Airplug 1342 may include a flange 1348 configured to prevent the air plugfrom sliding too far into air egress port 1018. In some examples, airplug 1342 may be press fit into air egress port 1018. In some examples,the friction between air plug 1342 and the inside of air egress port1018 may be sufficient to hold the air plug in place. In some examples,the air system is under vacuum and vacuum pressure holds the air plug inplace. In some examples, sealing air egress port 1018 with air plug 1342may include applying glue, primer, and/or any suitable adhesive to theoutside of air plug 1342 and/or the inside of air egress port 1018. Insome examples, air plug 1342 may include an air cap which fits over theoutside of air egress port 1018 and is held in place by friction, vacuumpressure, and/or an adhesive.

As shown in FIGS. 44-45, water closure 1302 and air closure 1306 mayhave different dimensions. Water closure 1302 and air closure 1306 mayhave any suitable dimensions depending on the application and thecharacteristics of end cap 1300 and manifold 1000. Note that since endcap 1300 is configured to couple with manifold 1000, water closure 1302of end cap 1300 generally has complimentary dimensions to the waterconduit of manifold 1000 and air closure 1306 of end cap 1300 generallyhas complementary dimension to the air conduit of manifold 1000. Inother words, an inner diameter of upstream end 1316 of water closure1302 may be approximately the same as an outer diameter of thedownstream end of the water conduit of manifold 1000, and an innerdiameter of upstream end 1318 of air closure 1306 may be approximatelythe same as an outer diameter of the downstream end of the air conduitof manifold 1000. Thus, a downstream portion of manifold 1000 may fitwithin an upstream portion of end cap 1300, forming a water tight seal.FIG. 47 shows end cap 1300 and manifold 1000 coupled together.

Water closure 1302 and air closure 1306 may have any suitable diametersdepending on the application and the characteristics of end cap 1300 andmanifold 1000. In some examples, the diameter of water closure 1302 andthe diameter of air closure may not be constant. For example, waterclosure 1302 may have an outer diameter in the range of approximately1.50 inches to approximately 3.00 inches and a wall thickness in therange of approximately 0.05 inches to approximately 0.50 inches whileair closure 1306 may have an outer diameter in the range ofapproximately 0.50 inches to approximately 2.00 inches and a wallthickness in the range of approximately 0.05 inches to approximately0.50 inches. In some examples, water closure 1302 may have an outerdiameter of approximately 2.81 inches and a wall thickness ofapproximately 0.17 inches. In some example, air closure 1306 may have anouter diameter of approximately 1.24 inches and a wall thickness ofapproximately 0.14 inches. In some examples, water closure 1302 and airclosure 1306 may have any suitable diameters and wall thicknessesdepending on the application and the characteristics of end cap 1300,manifold 1000, and other components.

As discussed, end cap 1300 is configured to be coupled with anothercomponent such as manifold 1000. End cap 1300 may be configured to becoupled with the manifold by a “press-and-click” method (describedabove). The “press-and-click” method may be facilitated by post clips1328 and ridge clips 1334. For example, end cap 1300 and the manifoldmay be aligned and then compressed together to overcome the resistiveforce of post clips 1328 and ridge clips 1334, after which thecomponents are locked together. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 44-45,flanges 1330 of post clips 1328 are configured to flex apart, away froma default position (e.g., away from each other), when protrusions 1332slide over a retaining post on the manifold. Post clips 1328 are furtherconfigured to snap back into the default position (e.g., back towardseach other), once protrusions 1332 pass by the retaining post on themanifold. Protrusions 1332 prevent post clip 1328, and thus end cap1300, from sliding off of the manifold. Similarly, in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 44-45, ridge clips 1334 are configured to flex outward,away from a default position (e.g., away from second longitudinal axis1308), when sloped lip 1338 slides over a retaining ridge on themanifold. Ridge clips 1334 are further configured to snap back into thedefault position (e.g., back towards second longitudinal axis 1308) oncesloped lip 1338 passes over the retaining ridge on the manifold. Slopedlip 1338 prevents ridge clip 1334, and thus end cap 1300, from slidingoff of the manifold.

In some examples, end cap 1300 and manifold 1000 (or any other suitablesecond component) may be configured to be able to be unlocked and/oruncoupled. Uncoupling end cap 1300 from the manifold may be accomplishedby moving flanges 1330 of post clips 1328 away from each other (e.g.,away from the retaining post on the manifold), moving ridge clips 1334away from the air conduit of the manifold (e.g., away from secondlongitudinal axis 1308), and sliding end cap 1300 off of manifold 1000.In some examples, a worker may accomplish this using a finger or fingersto move the clips and/or using a tool. Releasably coupling end cap 1300and the manifold together may be advantageous as it may allow a workerto uncouple an end cap that was coupled to the wrong manifold bymistake.

End cap 1300 may be constructed out of any suitable material. Forexample, end cap 1300 may include any suitable thermoplastic polymersuch as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),and/or any other suitable materials having similar properties (i.e.,stiffness etc.). End cap 1300 may be manufactured using any suitableprocess. For example, the manufacturing process may include the use ofinjection molding, compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. Insome examples, each component may be injection molded out of PVC.

First Illustrative Manifold Assembly

Together, manifold 1000, male manifold adapter 1100, female manifoldadapter 1200, and manifold end cap 1300, described above, form a firstembodiment of a set of manifold assembly components. Male adapter 1100,one or more manifolds 1000, and female adapter 1200 or end cap 1300 maycouple to form manifold assembly 912.

In general, manifold assembly 912 is composed of any suitable number ofeach of the components in the first set of manifold assembly componentsand may include any suitable structures configured to separately conveyair and water from respective air and water sources to a plurality oflengths of tubing 120. For example, manifold assembly 912 may includemale adapter 1100, any suitable number of manifolds 1000, and femaleadapter 1200 or end cap 1300 depending on the application. In someexamples, hot tub 100 may include any suitable number of manifoldassemblies 912. In some examples, it may be advantageous to have aplurality of clusters of manifolds spaced out at different portions ofhot tub 100 to better reach each jet with the least amount of tubing.Accordingly, any suitable number of manifolds 1000 grouped in anysuitable number and/or size of manifold assembly 912 may be used. Eachmanifold assembly 912 may include any suitable number of manifolds 1000.In some examples, manifold assembly 912 may not include female adapter1200 and/or end cap 1300. For example, some manifold assemblies 912 mayinclude female adapter 1200 and not end cap 1300, and some manifoldassemblies 912 may include end cap 1300 and not female adapter 1200.

As discussed, FIG. 31 is a block diagram which includes two illustrativemanifold assemblies 910 and depicts two examples of how manifoldassembly 910 may interact with other plumbing components. FIGS. 48through 51 depict various examples of illustrative manifold assemblies;each figure may be a different view, and may include different manifoldcomponents.

FIG. 48 depicts an exploded isometric view of an example of firstillustrative manifold assembly which includes male adapter 1100, twomanifolds or manifold bodies 1000, and female adapter 1200. FIG. 49depicts a partially exploded isometric view of another example of anillustrative manifold assembly which includes male adapter 1100, twomanifolds 1000, and end cap 1300. FIG. 50 depicts a sectional isometricview of the exemplary assembly of FIG. 48; and FIG. 51 depicts anothersectional isometric view of the exemplary assembly of FIG. 48.

In each of the examples of manifold assembly 912, male adapter 1100 isin fluid communication with manifold 1000. Each manifold 1000 is influid communication with another manifold 1000, female adapter 1200,and/or end cap 1300. Some examples of manifold assembly 912 includefemale adapter 1200 (FIGS. 48, 50, and 51) and some examples of manifoldassembly 912 include end cap 1300 (FIG. 49). Alternate use of femaleadapter 1200 and end cap 1300 may be advantageous as manifold assemblieswhich include a female adapter allow the streams of air and water tocontinue on (for example, through pipe 112 and air tubing 116) toanother manifold assembly 912. Alternatively, manifold assemblies whichinclude an end cap end the streams of air and water and ensure that theplumbing system is sealed.

In FIGS. 48-51, the manifold assembly includes either two or threemanifolds 1000. More generally, however, manifold assembly 910 mayinclude any suitable number of manifolds 1000 depending on theapplication and characteristics of the hot tub and the plumbing system.In general, the number of manifolds in a manifold assembly maycorrespond to the number of jets adjacent the manifold assembly. Forexample, a manifold assembly which is adjacent four jets may include twomanifolds (having a total of four sets of egress ports) while a manifoldassembly which is adjacent 16 jets may include 8 manifolds.

In some examples, hot tub 100 may include an odd number of jets and oneof the manifolds in hot tub 100 may include an unused set of egressports which may be plugged using the air and water plugs attached to theend cap. For example, a plumbing system which includes 29 jets mayinclude 15 manifolds (having a total of 30 sets of egress ports), 14 ofwhich couple to two lengths of tubing 120 and one of which couples toone length of tubing 120. The manifold coupling to only one length oftubing 120 has an unused set of egress ports which may be plugged by airand water plugs which may be removed from end cap 1300.

In use, streams of water and air may be passed to male adapter 1100 froma length of water pipe (such as pipe 112) and a length of air tubing(such as air tubing 116) respectively. Male adapter 1100 may pass thestreams of water and air to manifold 1000. Manifold 1000 may pass partof the streams of water and air to a length of tubing (such as tubing120) through a set of egress ports and part of the streams of water andair to another component. In some examples, manifold 1000 may pass partof the streams of water and air to another manifold 920.

In some examples, a plurality of manifolds 1000 may be coupled together;the manifold of the plurality of manifolds that is farthest downstreammay be coupled to either a female adapter or an end cap. In cases wherethere is another manifold assembly further downstream, the plurality ofmanifolds may be coupled to a female adapter 1200. Female adapter 1200may be coupled to another length of pipe (such as pipe 112) and a lengthof air tubing (such as air tubing 116) and pass the streams of water andair to the pipe and air tubing respectively. In cases where there is notanother manifold assembly downstream, the plurality of manifolds may becoupled to an end cap 1300. End cap 1300 may ensure that the plumbingsystem is sealed. For example, in a system including three manifoldassemblies 912, the two upstream manifold assemblies may include femaleadapters 1200 while the most downstream manifold assembly may includeend cap 1300.

During installation, manifold assembly may be assembled in multiplesteps or at multiple stations. A first step or steps may includecoupling at least one male adapter 1100 to suitable lengths of pipe 112and air tubing 116. Coupling male adapter 1100 to pipe 112 and airtubing 116 may include any suitable process and/or structure. In someexamples, coupling male adapter 1100 to pipe 112 and air tubing 116 mayinclude using a glue, primer, and/or any suitable adhesive. For example,glue may be applied to the end of a length of pipe 112 and/or the insideof the upstream portion of the water conduit of male adapter 1100 beforeinserting the end of pipe 112 into the upstream portion of the waterconduit of male adapter 1100.

In some examples, pipe 112 may fit over the upstream portion of thewater conduit of male adapter 1100 and glue may be applied to the insideof the end of pipe 112 and/or the outside of the water conduit of maleadapter 1100. In some examples, glue may not be used and friction and/orany suitable mechanical mechanism may be used to couple pipe 112 to maleadapter 1100. Similarly, in some examples, primer (and/or glue) may beapplied to the end of a length of air tubing 116 and/or the inside ofthe upstream portion of the air conduit of male adapter 1100 beforeinserting the end of air tubing 116 into the upstream portion of the airconduit of male adapter 1100. In some examples, air tubing 116 may fitover the upstream portion of the air conduit of the male adapter 1100and primer may be applied to the inside of the end of air tubing 116and/or the outside of the air conduit of male adapter 1100. In someexamples, primer may not be used and friction, vacuum pressure, and/orany suitable mechanical mechanism may be used to couple air tubing 116to male adapter 1100.

Another step or steps may include coupling female adapter 1200 tosuitable lengths of pipe 112 and air tubing 116. Coupling female adapter1200 to pipe 112 and air tubing 116 may include any suitable processand/or structure. In some examples, coupling female adapter 1200 to pipe112 and air tubing 116 may include using a glue, primer, and/or anysuitable adhesive. For example, glue may be applied to the end of alength of pipe 112 and/or the inside of the downstream portion of thewater conduit of female adapter 1200 before inserting the end of pipe112 into the downstream portion of the water conduit of female adapter1200. In some examples, pipe 112 may fit over the downstream portion ofthe water conduit of female adapter 1200 and glue may be applied to theinside of the end of pipe 112 and/or the outside of the water conduit offemale adapter 1200.

In some examples, glue may not be used and friction and/or any suitablemechanical mechanism may be used to couple pipe 112 to female adapter1200. Similarly, in some examples, primer (and/or glue) may be appliedto the end of a length of air tubing 116 and/or the inside of thedownstream portion of the air conduit of female adapter 1200 beforeinserting the end of air tubing 116 inside of the downstream portion ofthe air conduit of female adapter 1200. In some examples, air tubing 116may fit over the downstream portion of the air conduit of the femaleadapter 1200 and primer may be applied to the inside of the end of airtubing 116 and/or the outside of the air conduit of female adapter 1200.In some examples, primer may not be used and friction, vacuum pressure,and/or any suitable mechanical mechanism may be used to couple airtubing 116 to female adapter 1200.

Assembling manifold assembly 912 may further include coupling eachmanifold 1000 with tubing 120. Coupling manifold 1000 with tubing 120may include any suitable process and/or structure. For example, tubing120 may be slid over the ends of the air and water egress ports and aclamp (described in more detail below) may be used to prevent the tubingfrom sliding off. In some examples, a lubricant (e.g., soapy water) maybe used to facilitate sliding the tubing over the air and water egressports. In some examples, a lip formed on water egress port (such as lip1020) may be configured to help keep tubing 120 on water egress port1016 and/or may be configured to facilitate a water-tight connection. Insome examples, tubing 120 may include dual extrusion tubing. In someexamples, tubing 120 may include separate air and water tubes which maybe installed one at a time on the air and water egress portsrespectively.

Another step in the installation of manifold assembly 912 includescoupling together one or more manifolds 1000 (each of which are attachedto tubing 120) and coupling the group of one or more manifolds 1000 to amale adapter 1100. Manifolds 1000 may be coupled together by a“press-and-click” method (described above). For example, two manifoldsmay be aligned and then compressed together to overcome the resistiveforce of spring-biased clips (such as post clips 1032 and/or ridge clips1040). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-51, post clips 1032 and ridgeclips 1040 are configured to facilitate coupling with the other manifoldby engaging with features on the other manifold.

Any suitable number of manifolds 1000 may be coupled together to form amanifold cluster depending on the characteristics of hot tub 100, thenumber of jets, and the characteristics of manifold assembly 912. Themanifold cluster may be coupled to male adapter 1100 by a“press-and-click” method (described above). For example, the maleadapter be aligned with the most upstream manifold and then the adapterand the manifold cluster may be compressed together to overcome theresistive force of spring-biased clips (such as post clips 1032 and/orridge clips 1040 of the most upstream manifold). In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 32-51, post clips 1032 and ridge clips 1040 on the upstreammanifold are configured to facilitate coupling with the male adapter byengaging with retaining features on the adapter.

A further step in the installation of a manifold assembly 912 mayinclude coupling a most downstream manifold of the manifold cluster toeither female adapter 1200 or end cap 1300 depending on thecharacteristics of hot tub 100 and manifold assembly 912. In exampleswhere there is another manifold assembly farther downstream, thedownstream manifold may be coupled to female adapter 1200. The manifoldcluster may be coupled to female adapter 1200 by a “press-and-click”method (described above). For example, the female adapter be alignedwith the most downstream manifold and then the adapter and the manifoldcluster may be compressed together to overcome the resistive force ofspring-biased clips (such as post clips 1032 and/or ridge clips 1040 ofthe most downstream manifold). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32-51,post clips 1032 and ridge clips 1040 on the downstream manifold areconfigured to facilitate coupling with the female adapter by engagingwith retaining features on the adapter.

In examples where manifold assembly 912 is the furthest downstreammanifold assembly, the downstream manifold may be couple to end cap1300. The manifold cluster may be coupled to end cap 1300 by a“press-and-click” method (described above). For example, the end cap maybe aligned with the most downstream manifold and then the end cap andthe manifold cluster may be compressed together to overcome theresistive force of spring-biased clips (such as post clips 1328 and/orridge clips 1334 on the end cap). In the embodiment shown in FIGS.32-51, post clips 1328 and ridge clips 1334 on the end cap areconfigured to facilitate coupling with the manifold by engaging withretaining features on the manifold.

In some examples, each of the components of the first set of manifoldassembly components may be configured to be able to be unlocked and/oruncoupled. Uncoupling the components may be accomplished by movingspring biased clips away from a default position and sliding thecomponents apart. In some examples, a worker may accomplish this using afinger to move the spring biased clips and/or using a tool. Releasablycoupling the components together may be advantageous as it may, amongother advantages, allow a worker to uncouple components that werecoupled to the wrong component by mistake.

As discussed, each of the components of the first set of manifoldassembly components (e.g., manifold 1000, male adapter 1100, femaleadapter 1200, and end cap 1300) may be constructed out of any suitablematerial. For example, the components of the first set of manifoldassembly components may include any suitable thermoplastic polymer suchas polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),and/or any other suitable materials having similar properties (i.e.,stiffness etc.). The components of the first set of manifold assemblycomponents may be manufactured using any suitable process. For example,the manufacturing process may include the use of injection molding,compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. In some examples, eachcomponent may be injection molded out of PVC.

Second Illustrative Manifold Assembly

FIGS. 52 and 53 depict the components of a second embodiment of a set ofmanifold assembly components. The second embodiment of the set ofmanifold assembly components includes a second embodiment 1400 ofmanifold 920, a second embodiment 1500 of male manifold adapter 930, anda second embodiment 1600 of manifold end cap 950. Together, malemanifold adapter 1500, one or more manifold 1400, and manifold end cap1600 may form an illustrative manifold assembly 914. Additionally, oralternatively, male manifold adapter 1500 may be referred to as a maleadapter; and/or manifold end cap 1300 may be referred to as an end cap.

Each of the components in the second embodiment of the set of manifoldassembly components may be substantially similar to the correspondingcomponent in the first set of manifold assembly components. Accordingly,only an abbreviated discussion will be provided below of features whichare substantially similar to the first embodiment. A few primarydifferences will be discussed below, however, there may be variousdifferences in the shape, dimensions, and/or style of the componentscompared with the first set of manifold assembly components.

First, where the water conduits of manifold 1000 and male manifoldadapter 1100 (i.e., water conduits 1002 and 1102 respectively) eachincluded two recesses for O-rings and two O-rings (i.e., recesses 1048and 1134 respectively and O-rings 1050 and 1134 respectively), a waterconduit 1402 of manifold 1400 and a water conduit 1502 of male manifold1500 each include one recess and one O-ring. Also, in place of postclips and retaining posts as in the first set of manifold assemblycomponents (such as post clips 1032 and 1328 on manifold 1000 and endcap 1300 and retaining post 1038 and 1130 on manifold 1000 and maleadapter 1100), the water conduits of each of the components in thesecond set of manifold assembly components each include a retainingridge and/or a plurality of ridge clips. Further, where water cap 1322and air cap 1326 of end cap 1300 are curved, end cap 1600 includes awater cap 1622 and an air cap 1626 which are flat. Each of thesecomponents will be discussed in further detail below.

For example, water conduit 1402 of manifold 1400 defines a firstlongitudinal axis 1404 and includes an upstream end 1424 and adownstream end 1426. Unlike manifold 1000 which includes two recesses1048 (each of which holds an O-ring 1050), downstream end 1426 of waterconduit 1402 of manifold 1400 includes one recess 1440 configured tohold an O-ring 1442. Recess 1440 and O-ring 1442 are substantiallysimilar to recesses 1048 and O-rings 1050 respectively. Downstream end1426 of water conduit 1402 further includes a retaining ridge 1448configured to couple with ridge clips on the water conduit of anothercomponent.

Retaining ridge 1448 may include any suitable structure configured toengage with spring-biased clips (e.g., ridge clips) on the upstream endof the water conduit of another component. For example, retaining ridge1448 may include a ridge which extends around substantially the entireperimeter of the water conduit. Upstream end 1424 of water conduit 1402further includes a plurality of spring-biased clips or ridge clips 1450configured to couple with a retaining ridge. Ridge clips 1450 mayinclude any suitable structure configured to couple with a retainingridge disposed on the water conduit of another component. Ridge clips1450 include a flexible support 1452 and a sloped lip 1454 which isconfigured to engage with the retaining ridge of another component.

Manifold 1400 further includes two air conduits 1406, each of whichdefine a second longitudinal axis 1408. Air conduits 1406 aresubstantially identical to air conduits 1006. A periphery of air conduit1406 is joined to a periphery of water conduit 1402 by a supportstructure. The support structure is substantially identical to supportstructure 1014 of manifold 1000. An upstream end 1428 of air conduit1406 includes at least one ridge clip 1432 configured to couple with aretaining ridge on the air conduit of another component. Ridge clip 1432includes a flexible support 1434 and a sloped lip 1436 and may besubstantially similar to ridge clips 1040.

A downstream end 1430 of air conduit 1406 includes a retaining ridge1438 configured to couple with retaining clips on another component.Downstream end 1430 of air conduit 1406 further includes a recessconfigured to hold an O-ring. The recess on air conduit 1406 issubstantially similar to recess 1052 and the O-ring on air conduit 1406may be substantially similar to O-ring 1054. Manifold 1400 furtherincludes a set of egress ports 1422. Set of egress ports 1422 includes awater egress port 1416 and an air egress port 1418, which may besubstantially similar to water egress port 1016 and air egress port 1018respectively. Water egress port 1416 includes a lip or ridge 1420.

Similarly, water conduit 1502 of male adapter 1500 defines a firstlongitudinal axis 1504 and includes an upstream end 1516 and adownstream end 1518. Unlike male adapter 1100 which includes tworecesses 1134 (each holding an O-ring 1136), downstream end 1518 ofwater conduit 1502 of male adapter 1500 includes one recess 1526configured to hold an O-ring 1528. Recess 1526 and O-ring 1528 aresubstantially similar to recess 1134 and O-ring 1136 respectively.Downstream end 1518 further includes a retaining ridge 1534 configuredto couple with ridge clips on another component. Retaining ridge 1534may include any suitable structure configured to engage withspring-biased clips (e.g., ridge clips) on the upstream end of the waterconduit of another component.

For example, retaining ridge 1534 may include a ridge which extendsaround substantially the entire perimeter of the water conduit. Maleadapter 1500 further includes two air conduits 1506, each of whichdefine a second longitudinal axis 1508. Air conduits 1506 aresubstantially identical to air conduits 1106. A periphery of air conduit1506 is joined to a periphery of water conduit 1502 by a supportstructure 1514. Support structure 1514 is substantially identical tosupport structure 1114 of male adapter 1100. A downstream end 1522 ofair conduit 1506 includes a retaining ridge 1524 configured to couplewith retaining clips on another component. Downstream end 1522 of airconduit 1506 further includes a recess configured to hold an O-ring.

The recess on air conduit 1506 is substantially similar to recess 1138and the O-ring on air conduit 1506 may be substantially similar toO-ring 1140. Further, upstream end 1516 of water conduit 1502 isconfigured to couple with a length of pipe, such as pipe 112. Anupstream end 1520 of air conduit 1506 is configured to couple with alength of air tubing, such as air tubing 116. Upstream end 1516 andupstream end 1520 may be substantially similar to upstream end 1116 andupstream end 1120 and may couple to pipe 112 and air tubing 116respectively in substantially the same way as upstream end 1116 andupstream end 1120.

Also, water closure 1602 of end cap 1600 defines a first longitudinalaxis 1604 and includes an upstream end 1616 and a downstream end 1620.End cap 1600 further includes two air closures 1606, each of whichdefine a second longitudinal axis 1608. Air closures 1606 aresubstantially identical to air closures 1606. A periphery of air closure1606 is joined to a periphery of water closure 1602 by a supportstructure. The support structure is substantially identical to supportstructure 1314 of end cap 1300. Unlike end cap 1300 which includes waterand air caps which are convex, downstream end 1620 of water closure 1602of end cap 1600 includes a flat water cap 1622. Similarly, a downstreamend 1624 of an air closure 1606 includes a flat air cap 1626. Upstreamend 1616 of water closure 1602 further includes a plurality ofspring-biased clips or ridge clips 1634 configured to couple with aretaining ridge on another component.

Ridge clips 1634 may include any suitable structure configured to couplewith a retaining ridge disposed on the water conduit of anothercomponent. Ridge clips 1634 include a flexible support 1636 and a slopedlip 1638 which is configured to engage with the retaining ridge ofanother component. An upstream end 1618 of air closure 1606 includes atleast one ridge clip 1628 configured to couple with a retaining ridge onthe air conduit of another component. Ridge clip 1628 includes aflexible support 1630 and a sloped lip 1632 and may be substantiallysimilar to ridge clips 1334.

While FIGS. 52 and 53 do not show a female manifold adapter, in someexamples, the second set of manifold assembly components may include asecond embodiment of a female manifold adapter. The second embodiment ofa female manifold adapter may be substantially the same as femaleadapter 1200 except that it may include ridge clips on the water conduitin place of post clips 1228. The ridge clips may be configured to couplewith a retaining ridge disposed on the water conduit of anothercomponent.

Each of the components in the second set of manifold assembly componentsmay be constructed out of any suitable material. For example, manifold1400, male adapter 1500, end cap 1600, and/or the second embodiment of afemale manifold adapter may include any suitable thermoplastic polymersuch as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),and/or any other suitable materials having similar properties (i.e.,stiffness etc.). Each of the components in the second set of componentsmay be manufactured using any suitable process. For example, themanufacturing process may include the use of injection molding,compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. In some examples, eachcomponent may be injection molded out of PVC.

C. Illustrative Plumbing System

As shown in FIGS. 54-59, this section describes an illustrative plumbingsystem suitable for use in a hot tub, swim spa or the like. The hot tubplumbing system may include any suitable structures and/or mechanismsconfigured to simultaneously deliver separate streams of air and waterto a plurality of jets. For example, the plumbing system may include aplurality of manifold assemblies, a plurality of lengths of tubing,and/or a plurality of jet assemblies. In the block diagram shown in FIG.54, a plumbing system 1700 includes water supply 106, water pipe 112,air supply 114, air tubing 116, at least one manifold assembly 910,tubing 1710, and at least one jet assembly 200. In some examples, any ofthe components described in the previous sections may be used inplumbing system 1700.

Overview

In general, hot tub plumbing system 1700 may comprise: a manifold (suchas manifolds 118, 920, 1000, and/or 1400 described previously)configured to receive separate air and water supply streams and todirect those streams into a water egress port (such as water egressports 1016 and/or 1416) and an air egress port (such as air egress port1018 and/or 1418), respectively, wherein the water egress port and theair egress port are substantially parallel and adjacent to each other; aflexible dual extrusion tube (such as tubing 1710) including a firsthollow cylindrical portion configured to couple to the water egress portand a second hollow cylindrical portion configured to couple to the airegress port, wherein the first and second hollow cylindrical portionsare joined together at peripheral portions; a jet back (such as straightjet backs 122, 302, 402, and 502, and/or angled jet backs 602, 702, and802) including a pair of adjacent parallel hollow protrusions eachconfigured to receive one of the streams of air and water from arespective one of the hollow cylindrical portions of the dual extrusiontube; and a jet body (such as jet bodies 124 and/or 304, 404, 504, 604,704, and/or 804) configured to receive the streams of air and water fromthe jet back, to merge the streams of air and water together to form amixed stream of air and water, and to provide the mixed stream of airand water from an outlet and thereby into the interior of the hot tub.

In some examples, the jet back may further include a central portion(such as central portion 316 in jet assembly 300) configured to create awater tight seal with the jet body, and an attachment mechanismextending from a first end of the central portion and configured toattach the jet back to the jet body in a secure manner. In someexamples, the attachment mechanism may include a pair of opposed,spring-biased clips (such as spring-biased clips 328 in jet assembly300) extending from the first end of the central portion of the jetback, each opposed clip configured to snap into spring-biased engagementwith a complementary retaining ridge (such as ridge 530 on jet assembly500) or groove (such as 330 on jet assembly 300) disposed at a peripheryof the jet body. In some examples, the jet body further includes atleast one O-ring (such as O-rings 338 on jet assembly 300) disposedaround a periphery of the jet body, and an inner cylindrical surface ofthe central portion of the jet back is configured to fit around theO-ring in a substantially water tight compression fit.

In some examples, hot tub plumbing system 1700 further comprises a jetinsert (such as jet inserts 126, 506, and/or 806) configured fit withinan aperture of a hot tub body, to receive the mixed stream of air andwater from the jet body outlet, and to channel the mixed stream of airand water into an interior portion of the hot tub body through theaperture. In some examples, hot tub plumbing system 1700 furthercomprises a one-piece clamp (described below) configured to hold thedual extrusion tube in water tight engagement with the egress ports ofthe manifold. In some examples, the clamp is also configured to hold thedual extrusion tube in water tight engagement with the protrusions ofthe jet back. For example, the clamp may define a pair of contiguousarcuate apertures and a selectively releasable end portion having firstand second sets of complementary ratcheting teeth configured to beengaged with each other upon compression of the end portion.

In other words, hot tub plumbing system 1700 may comprise a manifoldconfigured to receive separate air and water supply streams and tochannel the streams into a water egress port and an air egress port; aflexible dual extrusion tube including a first tubular portionconfigured to couple to the water egress port and a second tubularportion configured to couple to the air egress port, wherein the firstand second tubular portions are joined together in a figure-eightconfiguration; and a jet back including a pair of adjacent parallelhollow protrusions each configured to receive one of the streams of airand water from a respective one of the tubular portions of the dualextrusion tube. Hot tub plumbing system 1700 may further comprise a jetbody configured to receive the streams of air and water from the jetback, to merge the streams of air and water together to form a mixedstream of air and water, and to channel the mixed stream of air andwater into an outlet. In some examples, hot tub plumbing system 1700 mayfurther comprise a jet insert configured to be attached within anaperture of a hot tub shell, to receive the mixed stream of air andwater from the outlet of the jet body, and to channel the mixed streamof air and water into the hot tub through the aperture.

Hot tub plumbing system 1700 may include separate water and air systems.For example, water supply 106, pipe 112, the water conduits of thecomponents of manifold assembly 910, the water portion of tubing 1710,and the water ingress port of jet assembly 200 may form a water system.In some examples, the water system may be under any suitable pressure.For example, the water system may be under approximately 25 pounds persquare inch (psi) of pressure. In some examples, the water system may beunder approximately 5 psi, 10 psi, 15 psi, 30 psi, and/or any othersuitable amount of pressure. The amount of pressure applied to the watersystem may be configured to facilitate the flow of water through thewater system. Water may be supplied to the water system by water supply106 which may include a pump, filter, and/or any other suitable sourceof water. In some examples, water may be recycled by the hot tub suchthat water from the hot tub body is removed, filtered, and reintroducedinto the water system.

Air supply 114, tubing 116, the air conduits of the components ofmanifold assembly 910, the air portion of tubing 1710, and the airingress port of jet assembly 200 may form an air system. In someexamples, the air system may be under any suitable pressure, and in somecases the air system may be under vacuum pressure rather than positivepressure. For example, the air system may be under less thanapproximately 20 inches of mercury (in.-Hg) of vacuum pressure. Theamount of vacuum applied to the air system may be configured tofacilitate the flow of air through the system.

In some examples, the vacuum pressure applied to the air system may beproduced by the flow of water through the nozzles in the jet assemblies.In other words, water flowing past the air ingress ports of the jetassembly may draw air into the jet (and thus through the air system) dueto the Venturi effect. Air may be supplied to the air system by airsupply 114, which may include a pump and/or an air vent open to theatmosphere. In some examples, the air system may use atmospheric airand/or filtered air. In some examples, atmospheric air may enter the airsystem through an air vent. In some examples, the air vent may beadjustable by a user to manipulate the ratio of air and water that thejet assemblies introduce into the hot tub body.

Any suitable dimensions may be used for each component. Components whichcouple together may have complementary dimensions. For example, theouter diameters of the air and water ingress and egress ports may beapproximately the same as the inner diameter of the dual extrusiontubing used in the system.

First Embodiment of a Hot Tub Plumbing System

FIG. 55 depicts a portion of a first embodiment 1702 of plumbing system1700 including an example of manifold assembly 912 and four jetassemblies 300. FIG. 56 depicts another portion of first embodiment 1702of plumbing system 1700 including another example of manifold assembly912 and four jet assemblies.

As shown in FIG. 55, system 1702 includes water pipe 112 and air tubing116 which couple with an example of manifold assembly 912. This exampleof manifold assembly 912 includes male manifold adapter 1100, twomanifolds 1000, and manifold end cap 1300. Each of the components ofmanifold assembly 912 are described in more detail above. Male manifoldadapter 1100 couples with pipe 112 and air tubing 116.

As shown in FIG. 56, another portion of system 1702 includes water pipe112 and air tubing 116 which couple with another example of manifoldassembly 912. This example of manifold assembly 912 includes malemanifold adapter 1100, two manifolds 1000, and female manifold adapter1200. Each of the components of manifold assembly 912 are described inmore detail above. Male manifold adapter 1100 couples with pipe 112 andair tubing 116 and female manifold adapter 1200 couples with a secondlength of each of water pipe 112 and air tubing 116.

Each manifold 1000 in both examples of manifold assembly 912 coupleswith two lengths of tubing 1712, each of which couples with an exampleof jet assembly 300. Tubing 1712 is dual extrusion tubing and an exampleof tubing 1710, which will be described in more detail below. Asdescribed above, each jet assembly 300 may include a jet back 302, anozzle 308, and/or a jet body 304. In some examples, each jet assembly300 also may include a jet insert.

Both portions of system 1702 (shown respectively in FIG. 55 and FIG. 56)include a plurality of clamps 1800 which are configured to facilitate awater- and/or air-tight seal between tubing 1712 and manifold 1000and/or jet back 302. Clamps 1800 are positioned over the ends of tubing1712 where tubing 1712 fits over set of egress ports 1022 on manifold1000 and where tubing 1712 fits over water ingress port 310 and airingress port 312 on jet back 302. Clamp 1800 will be described in moredetail below with respect to FIGS. 57, 58, and 59.

In some examples, the portion of system 1702 shown in FIG. 56 may bepositioned upstream of the portion of system 1702 shown in FIG. 55. Insome examples, system 1702 may include any suitable number of manifoldassemblies 912 and may include any suitable configurations of manifoldassembly 912. For example, each manifold assembly may include anysuitable number of manifolds and any suitable adapters and/or end caps.System 1702 may further include a water source (for example, watersupply 106) and an air source (for example, air supply 114). In someexamples, system 1702 may further include any suitable components and/orstructures. For example, system 1702 may include any suitable kinds oftubing, valves, filters, tube splitters, and/or other fittings.

Pipe 112 may include any suitable pipe configured to carry water tomanifold assembly 912. For example, pipe 112 may include approximately 2inch pipe. In some examples, pipe 112 may be constructed out ofindustrial grade, clear, flexible PVC and/or any other suitablematerial. Air tubing 116 may include any suitable pipe and/or tubingconfigured to carry air to manifold assembly 912. For example, airtubing 116 may include approximately 0.5 inch pipe. In some examples,air tubing 116 may be constructed out of industrial grade, clear,flexible PVC and/or any other suitable material.

Many of the components of system 1702 are described in more detail aboveand may include any suitable dimensions and/or materials such as thosedescribed above. For example, each of the components may include anysuitable thermoplastic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC),acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and/or any other suitablematerials having similar properties (i.e., stiffness etc.). Further, themanufacturing process may include the use of injection molding,compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. In some examples, eachcomponent may be injection molded out of PVC.

First Embodiment of a One-Piece Clamp

FIG. 57 is an isometric view of a first embodiment 1800 of a one-piececlamp suitable for use with dual extrusion tubing. FIG. 58 is a top planview of one-piece clamp 1800 of FIG. 57. FIG. 59 depicts the clamp ofFIGS. 57-58 in use with a jet assembly and dual extrusion tubing; clamp1800 is shown twice, once in an open position 1802 and once in closedposition 1804.

Clamp 1800 may include any suitable structure configured to hold dualextrusion tubing 1712 in water- and/or air-tight engagement with theegress ports of manifold 1000 and/or the ingress ports of jet back 302.For example, clamp 1800 includes a single piece which includes a pair ofcontiguous arcuate apertures 1810, 1812. A first arcuate aperture 1810may be configured to fit around a water passage of tubing 1712 and asecond arcuate aperture 1812 may be configured to fit around an airpassage of tubing 1712. Clamp 1800 may further include an end portion1814 having a first set of ratcheting teeth 1816 and a second set ofratcheting teeth 1818. In the example shown in FIGS. 57-59, end portion1814 is adjacent second arcuate aperture 1812; in some examples, endportion 1814 may be adjacent first arcuate aperture 1810 and/or anyother suitable portion of clamp 1800.

First set of ratcheting teeth 1816 and second set of ratcheting teeth1818 may be complementary and may be configured to be engaged with eachother upon compression of end portion 1814. For example, in FIGS. 57-59,first set of ratcheting teeth 1816 is disposed on a lower surface of afirst upper arm 1820. First upper arm 1820 and a first lower arm 1822form a first slot 1824. Similarly, second set of ratcheting teeth 1818is disposed on an upper surface of a second lower arm 1826. Second lowerarm 1826 and a second upper arm 1828 form a second slot 1830. When clamp1800 is closed (as shown in FIG. 59), first upper arm 1820 fits withinsecond slot 1830 and second lower arm 1828 fits within first slot 1824.Thus, the first and second sets of ratcheting teeth are in contact andengage.

The teeth of the first and second sets of ratcheting teeth may be slopedas best seen in FIG. 58, such that forward edges of each set of teethcan pass over each other when end portion 1814 is compressed. Once oneor more of the teeth have passed over each other, they may engage orhook together so as to prevent the clamp from opening. For example, atooth may fit in a space between adjacent teeth on the opposite set ofratchetting teeth.

In some examples, clamp 1800 may be releasable; among other advantages,this may allow a user to uncouple a length of tubing and a set of portsthat have been connected by mistake, or for the purpose of replacingdamaged or worn tubing, manifold components and/or jet assemblycomponents. For example, a user may be able to compress end portion 1814to disengage the two sets of ratcheting teeth, shift the arms such thatthe two sets of ratcheting may pass by each other without engaging, andrelease end portion 1814 such that it opens. In some examples, the twosets of ratcheting teeth may be resiliently flexible such that the teethflex away from each other when end portion 1814 is compressed, allowingthe two sets of ratcheting teeth to pass by each other. In someexamples, the two sets of ratcheting teeth may be releasable by pullingthe clamp open with a force greater than some threshold force, such thatthe two sets of ratcheting teeth flex past each other to disengage. Insome examples, any suitable engagement mechanism and/or structure may beused to hold clamp 1800 closed when compressed. For example, clamp 1800may include spring biased clips, hooks, ridges, magnets, and/or anysuitable structure.

Clamp 1800 may have any suitable dimensions configured to facilitateholding dual extrusion tubing 1712 in water- and/or air-tight engagementwith the egress ports of manifold 1000 and/or the ingress ports of jetback 302. For example, first arcuate aperture 1810 may have an innerradius between approximately 0.25 inches and approximately 1.0 incheswhen in closed position 1804. In some examples, first arcuate aperture1810 may have an inner radius of approximately 0.500 inches when inclosed position 1804. First arcuate aperture 1810 may have any suitablewall thickness. For example, first arcuate aperture 1810 may have a wallthickness between approximately 0.05 inches and 0.25 inches. In someexamples, first arcuate aperture 1810 may have a wall thickness ofapproximately 0.125 inches. Furthermore, second arcuate aperture 1812may have an inner radius between approximately 0.25 inches andapproximately 1.0 inches when in closed position 1804. In some examples,second arcuate aperture 1812 may have an inner radius of approximately0.315 inches when in closed position 1804. Clamp 1800 may have anysuitable thickness. For example, clamp 1800 may have a thickness betweenapproximately 0.1 inches and approximately 1.0 inches. In some examples,clamp 1800 may have a thickness of approximately 0.276 inches.

Clamp 1800 may be constructed out of any suitable material. For example,clamp 1800 may include any suitable thermoplastic polymer such aspolyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon,and/or any other suitable materials having similar properties (i.e.,stiffness etc.). Clamp 1800 may be manufactured using any suitableprocess. For example, the manufacturing process may include the use ofinjection molding, compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. Insome examples, clamp 1800 may be constructed out of molded nylon.

Second Embodiment of a Hot Tub Plumbing System

FIG. 60 depicts a partially exploded view of a portion of a secondembodiment 1704 of plumbing system 1700, including an embodiment of amanifold assembly having four manifolds 920 and four jet assemblies 500.FIG. 61 depicts a partially exploded view of a magnified portion ofsecond embodiment 1704 of plumbing system 1700 including a singlemanifold 920 and a single jet assembly 500.

As shown in FIG. 60, a portion of system 1704 includes valve 108 andwater pipe 112 which couples with an embodiment of a manifold assembly.In some examples, system 1704 may include air tubing (such as air tubing116) which may couple to the manifold assembly. This example includes amale manifold adapter 930, four manifolds 920, and a manifold end cap950. Each of the components of the manifold assembly are described inmore detail above; the embodiments shown in FIG. 60 may be generallysimilar to second embodiment 914 of manifold assembly 910.

Each manifold 920 in system 1704 couples with at least one length oftubing 1714, which couples with an exemplary jet assembly 500. Tubing1714 is dual extrusion tubing, and is an example of tubing 1710 whichwill be described in more detail below. As described above, each jetassembly 400 may include a jet back 502, a jet body 504, and/or a jetinsert 506.

While not shown in FIGS. 60 and 61, in some examples, system 1704 mayinclude a plurality of clamps, such as clamps 1800 depicted in FIGS.55-59, or clamps 1900 depicted in FIGS. 62-63 and described in moredetail below, which are configured to facilitate a water- and/orair-tight seal between tubing 1714 and manifold 920 and/or jet back 502.For example, the clamps may be positioned over the ends of tubing 1714where tubing 1714 fits over the egress ports on manifold 920 and wheretubing 1714 fits over the ingress ports on jet back 502.

System 1704 may include any suitable number of manifold assemblies, andeach manifold assembly may include any suitable number of manifolds 920.System 1704 may further include a water source (for example, watersupply 106) and an air source (for example, air supply 114). In someexamples, system 1704 may further include any suitable components and/orstructures. For example, system 1704 may include any suitable kinds oftubing, valves filters, tube splitters, and/or other fittings.

Many of the components of system 1704 are described in more detail aboveand may include any suitable dimensions and/or materials such as thosedescribed above. For example, each of the components may include anysuitable thermoplastic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC),acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and/or any other suitablematerials having similar properties (i.e., stiffness etc.). Further, themanufacturing process may include the use of injection molding,compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. In some examples, eachcomponent may be injection molded out of PVC.

Second Embodiment of a One-Piece Clamp

FIG. 62 is an isometric view of a second embodiment 1900 of a one-piececlamp suitable for use with dual extrusion tubing. FIG. 63 is a top planview of one-piece clamp 1900 of FIG. 62.

Clamp 1900 may include any suitable structure configured to hold dualextrusion tubing 1714 in water- and/or air-tight engagement with theegress ports of manifold 920 and/or the ingress ports of jet back 502.For example, clamp 1900 includes a single piece which includes a pair ofcontiguous arcuate apertures. A first arcuate aperture 1910 may beconfigured to fit around a water passage of tubing 1714 and a secondarcuate aperture 1912 may be configured to fit around an air passage oftubing 1714. Clamp 1900 may further include an end portion 1914 having afirst set of ratcheting teeth 1916 and a second set of ratcheting teeth1918. In the example shown in FIGS. 62-63, end portion 1914 is adjacentsecond arcuate aperture 1912; in some examples, end portion 1914 may beadjacent first arcuate aperture 1910 and/or any other suitable portionof clamp 1900.

First set of ratcheting teeth 1916 and second set of ratcheting teeth1918 may be complementary and may be configured to be engaged with eachother upon compression of end portion 1914. For example, in FIGS. 62-63,first set of ratcheting teeth 1916 is disposed on a lower surface of afirst upper arm 1920. First upper arm 1920 and a first lower arm 1922form a first slot 1924. Similarly, second set of ratcheting teeth 1918is disposed on an upper surface of a second lower arm 1926. Second lowerarm 1926 and a second upper arm 1928 form a second slot 1930. When clamp1900 is closed, first upper arm 1920 fits within second slot 1930 andsecond lower arm 1928 fits within first slot 1924. The teeth of thefirst and second sets of ratcheting teeth may be sloped such thatforward edges of each set of teeth can pass over each other when endportion 1914 is compressed. Once one or more of the teeth have passedover each other, they may engage so as to prevent the clamp fromopening. For example, a tooth may fit in a space between adjacent teethon the opposite set of ratchetting teeth.

In some examples, clamp 1900 may be releasable; among other advantages,this may be advantageous as it may allow a user to uncouple a length oftubing and a set of ports that have been connected by mistake, or toreplace defective, broken or worn parts. For example, a user may be ableto compress end portion 1914 to disengage the two sets of ratchetingteeth, shift the arms such that the two sets of ratcheting may pass byeach other without engaging, and release end portion 1914 such that itopens. In some examples, the two sets of ratcheting teeth may beresiliently flexible such that the teeth flex away from each other whenend portion 1914 is compressed, allowing the two sets of ratchetingteeth to pass by each other. In some examples, the two sets ofratcheting teeth may be releasable by pulling the clamp open withsufficient force, such that the two sets of ratcheting teeth flex pasteach other to disengage. In some examples, any suitable engagementmechanism and/or structure may be used to hold clamp 1900 closed whencompressed. For example, clamp 1900 may include spring biased clips,hooks, ridges, magnets, and/or any suitable structure.

Clamp 1900 may have any suitable dimensions configured to facilitateholding dual extrusion tubing 1714 in water- and/or air-tight engagementwith the egress ports of manifold 920 and/or the ingress ports of jetback 502. For example, first arcuate aperture 1810 may have any suitablewall thickness and clamp 1800 may have any suitable thickness.

Clamp 1900 may be constructed out of any suitable material. For example,clamp 1900 may include any suitable thermoplastic polymer such aspolyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon,and/or any other suitable materials having similar properties (i.e.,stiffness etc.). Clamp 1900 may be manufactured using any suitableprocess. For example, the manufacturing process may include the use ofinjection molding, compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. Insome examples, clamp 1900 may be constructed out of molded nylon.

Illustrative Tubing

FIG. 64 includes a cross-section of an example of dual extrusion tubing1710. Tubing 1710 may include any suitable structure configured toconvey streams of air and water from the egress ports of manifold 920 tothe ingress ports of jet assembly 200. In the example shown in FIG. 64,tubing 1710 is dual extrusion tubing. In some examples, tubing 1710 mayinclude any suitable kind of tubing. For example, tubing 1710 mayinclude separate air and water tubes.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 64, tubing 1710 is flexible dualextrusion tubing including a first hollow cylindrical portion 1720configured to couple to the water egress port and a second hollowcylindrical portion 1722 configured to couple with the air egress port.First portion 1720 and second portion 1722 are joined together atperipheral portions. For example, a periphery 1724 of first portion 1720may be joined with a periphery 1726 of second portion 1722. In otherwords, tubing 1710 is a flexible dual extrusion tube and includes afirst tubular portion configured to couple to the water egress port anda second tubular portion configured to couple to the air egress port.The first and second tubular portions are joined together in afigure-eight configuration.

In some embodiments, first hollow cylindrical portion 1720 and secondhollow cylindrical portion 1722 may be joined by any suitable mechanism.In some embodiments, first hollow cylindrical portion 1720 and secondhollow cylindrical portion 1722 may not be joined. For example, firsthollow cylindrical portion 1720 may include a water tube and secondhollow cylindrical portion 1722 may include an air tube. In someexamples, the water tube and the air tube may be coupled with the samemanifolds and/or jet assemblies and/or may travel substantially similarpaths. In some examples, the water tube and the air tube may be couplewith different manifolds and/or jet assemblies and/or may travelsubstantially different paths. In some examples, the water tube and theair tube may or may not be substantially the same lengths.

Tubing 1710 may have any suitable dimensions configured to facilitatecoupling with the egress ports of manifold 920 and the ingress ports ofjet assembly 200. For example, first portion 1720 may have an innerdiameter between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately 1.0 inches.In some examples, first portion 1720 may have an inner diameter ofapproximately 0.750 inches. First portion 1720 may have any suitablewall thickness. For example, first portion 1720 may have a wallthickness between approximately 0.05 inches and 0.25 inches. In someexamples, first portion 1720 may have a wall thickness of approximately0.125 inches.

Second portion 1722 may have an inner diameter between approximately0.25 inches and approximately 0.5 inches. In some examples, secondportion 1722 may have an inner diameter of approximately 0.375 inches.Second portion 1722 may have any suitable wall thickness. For example,second portion 1722 may have a wall thickness between approximately 0.03inches and approximately 0.1 inches. In some examples, second portion1722 may have a wall thickness of approximately 0.080 inches.

Tubing 1710 may be constructed out of any suitable material. Forexample, tubing 1710 may include any suitable thermoplastic polymer suchas polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),and/or any other suitable materials having similar properties (i.e.,stiffness etc.). Tubing 1710 may be manufactured using any suitableprocess. For example, the manufacturing process may include the use ofinjection molding, compression molding, and/or extrusion methods. Insome examples, tubing 1710 may be constructed out of industrial grade,clear, flexible PVC on dual extruded tooling.

First embodiment 1702 of system 1700 and second embodiment 1704 ofsystem 1700 each include an embodiment of tubing 1710 (tubing 1712 andtubing 1714 respectively). Each embodiment of tubing 1710 may includeany suitable structure and/or dimensions suitable for coupling withother components of the system. For example, the inner diameters offirst portion 1720 and second portion 1722 may correspond to outerdiameters of the corresponding embodiment of the egress ports ofmanifold 920 and the ingress ports of jet assembly 200. For example, thedimensions of tubing 1712 may correspond with the dimensions of theports of manifold 1000 and jet assembly 300.

D. Illustrative Methods of Assembly

This section describes steps of an illustrative method for installing ahot tub plumbing system; see FIG. 65. Aspects and/or components of hottub 100, jet assembly 200, manifold assembly 910, and/or system 1700 maybe utilized in the method steps described below. Where appropriate,reference may be made to components and systems that may be used incarrying out each step. These references are for illustration and arenot intended to limit the possible ways of carrying out any particularstep of the method.

Although the methods described in this section are described withreference to a plumbing system for a hot tub and/or spa, the disclosedmethods may be used for any plumbing system involving multiple pieceswherein efficient assembly is needed.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed in an illustrativemethod and may not recite the complete process or all steps of themethod. Although various steps of method 2000 are described below anddepicted in FIG. 65, the steps need not necessarily all be performed,and in some cases may be performed simultaneously or in a differentorder than the order shown.

At step 2002, a worker inserts a jet body (such as jet body 124 and/or204) into an aperture in a wall of the hot tub body (such as hot tubbody 104). In some examples, step 2002 may include using a tool,threading the jet body into the hot tub body, and/or installingadditional components such as gaskets (for example, compressivegaskets). In some examples, step 2002 may include and/or follow a stepwhich includes creating the aperture in the hot tub body. At optionalstep 2004, the worker couples a jet insert (such as jet insert 126and/or 106) to the jet body. In some examples, coupling the jet insertto the jet body may facilitate securing the jet body to the hot tubbody. In some examples, step 2004 may be combined with step 2002, mayoccur later, may be combined with another method, and/or may not occurat all.

At step 2006, the worker couples separate air and water supply lines(such as pipe 112 and air tubing 116) to a male adapter (such as adapter110 or male adapter 930). In some examples, any suitable mechanism forcoupling the supply lines to the adapter may be used. In some examples,this step may include the application of glue, primer, and/or any othersuitable adhesive to the supply lines and/or the adapter. For example,glue may be applied to the outside of the end of the water supply linebefore it is inserted into the end of the water conduit of the maleadapter. Similarly, primer may be applied to the outside of the end ofthe air supply line before it is inserted into the end of the airconduit of the male adapter. In some examples, this step may include theapplication of a clamp and/or any other suitable connection mechanism.

At step 2008, the worker couples a first end of a length of tubing (suchas tubing 1710) to a manifold (such as manifold 118 or 920). In someexamples, coupling the tubing to the manifold includes coupling a firstportion of the tubing (such as first portion 1720) to a water egressport (such as water egress port 1016) of the manifold and a secondportion of the tubing (such as second portion 1722) to an air egressport (such as air egress port 1018) of the manifold. For example, thetubing may be dual extrusion tubing and the first and second portionsmay be joined at a periphery. In some examples, coupling the tubing tothe egress ports may include sliding the tubing over the end of theegress ports. In some examples, step 2008 may include the use of alubricant (such as soapy water) to facilitate sliding the end of thetubing over the end of the egress ports.

At step 2010, the worker clamps the tubing to the manifold using a dualaperture clamp (such as clamp 1800 or 1900). The clamp ensures that thetubing does not slip off of the egress ports of the manifold; the clampcannot flex around a lip on the water egress port (such as lip 1020 or1420) and so cannot slip off of the set of egress ports. The clampcompresses the tubing against the egress ports and ensures a water-and/or air-tight seal between the tubing and the egress ports. Forexample, a water- and air-tight seal can be achieved using the clamp andwithout the use of glue, primer, and/or other adhesives. Additionally,the worker may place the clamp where the clamp is needed and tighten theclamp in place. In other words, in may not be necessary to put the clampon the tubing before coupling the tubing to the ports and then move theclamp to get the correct positioning, instead the clamp can be placed inthe correct location right away.

At step 2012, the worker couples a second end of the length of tubing tothe jet back. In some examples, coupling the tubing to the jet backincludes coupling the first portion of the tubing to a water ingressport (such as water ingress port 310) of the jet back and the secondportion of the tubing to an air ingress port (such as air ingress port312) of the jet back. For example, the tubing may be dual extrusiontubing the first and second portions may be joined at a periphery. Insome examples, coupling the tubing to the ingress ports may includesliding the tubing over the end of the ingress ports. In some examples,step 2012 may include the use of a lubricant (such as soapy water) tofacilitate sliding the end of the tubing over the end of the ingressports.

At step 2014, the worker clamps the tubing to the jet back using anotherdual aperture clamp (such as clamp 1800 or 1900). The clamp ensures thatthe tubing does not slip off of the ingress ports of the jet back; theclamp cannot flex around a lip disposed on the water ingress port (suchas lip 316 on jet assembly 300) and so cannot slip off of the set ofingress ports. The clamp compresses the tubing against the ingress portsand ensures a water- and/or air-tight seal between the tubing and theingress ports. For example, a water- and air-tight seal can be achievedusing the clamp and without the use of glue, primer, and/or otheradhesives. Additionally, the worker may place the clamp where the clampis needed and tighten the clamp in place. In other words, in may not benecessary to put the clamp on the tubing before coupling the tubing tothe ports and then move the clamp to get the correct positioning,instead the clamp can be placed in the correct location right away.

At step 2016, the worker couples the manifold to another manifold, anadapter, and/or an end cap. For example, the worker may assemble one ormore manifold assemblies (such as manifold assembly 910). In someexamples, the worker may couple the manifold to the male adapter and toa second manifold. In some examples, the worker may couple the manifoldto a second and a third manifold. In some examples, the worker maycouple the manifold to a second manifold and a female adapter (such asfemale adapter 940). In some examples, the worker may couple themanifold to a second manifold and an end cap (such as end cap 950).Coupling the manifold to other components of a manifold assembly mayinclude coupling the components by a “press-and-click” method asdescribed above. For example, the components may be aligned andcompressed together to overcome the resistive force of a set ofspring-biased clips, after which the components are coupled together.

At step 2018, the worker couples the jet back to the jet body. Couplingthe jet back to the jet body may include coupling the components of thejet assembly by a “press-and-click” method as described above. Forexample, the jet back and the jet body may be aligned and compressedtogether to overcome the resistive force of a set of spring-biased clips(such as spring-biased clips 328 in jet assembly 300), after which thejet back and the jet body are coupled together.

Installing Jet Assembly

This section describes steps of illustrative methods for assembling ahot tub jet assembly such as jet assembly 200; see FIGS. 66 and 67.Aspects and/or components of hot tub 100, jet assembly 200, manifoldassembly 910, and/or system 1700 may be utilized in the method stepsdescribed below. Where appropriate, reference may be made to componentsand systems that may be used in carrying out each step. These referencesare for illustration and are not intended to limit the possible ways ofcarrying out any particular step of the method.

FIG. 66 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed in an illustrativemethod of coupling a jet back to a jet body, and may not recite thecomplete process or all steps of the method. Although various steps ofmethod 2100 are described below and depicted in FIG. 66, the steps neednot necessarily all be performed, and in some cases may be performedsimultaneously or in a different order than the order shown. Method 2100includes coupling the jet back (such as jet back 202) to the jet body(such as jet body 204) and may performed as part of installing a jetassembly (such as jet assembly 200) and/or installing a hot tub plumbingsystem (such as system 1700). Additionally, or alternatively, method2100 may be referred to as and/or may be included in a “press-and-click”method such as those described above.

At step 2102, a worker aligns a jet back (such as jet back 122 and/or202) with a jet body (such as jet body 124 and/or 204). In someexamples, the jet back may already be coupled with tubing (such astubing 1710) and/or the jet body may be installed in hot tub shell 104.In some examples, aligning the jet back with the jet body may includepositioning the jet back against the jet body. At step 2104, the workercompresses the jet back against the jet body such that spring-biasedclips (such as spring-biased clips 328 in jet assembly 300) on the jetback engage with a retaining feature (such as groove 330 on jet assembly300) on the jet body.

For example, the spring-biased clips may be configured to flex outward,away from a default position, when a sloped lip (such as sloped lip 334of jet assembly 300) slides over a proximate end of the jet body andalong an external portion of the jet body. The spring-biased clips maybe further configured to snap back into the default position when thesloped lip encounters the retaining feature on the jet body. In someexamples, the spring-biased clips may engage with the retaining featureand prevent the jet back from sliding off of the jet body. Thus, the jetback and the jet body are coupled together.

In some examples, the jet back and the jet body may be configured to beable to be unlocked and/or uncoupled. Uncoupling the jet back from thejet body may be accomplished by moving the spring-biased clips away fromthe jet body and reversing steps 2104 and 2102. For example, to uncouplethe jet back from the jet body, the worker may move the spring-biasedclips away from the default position and slide the jet back off of thejet body. In some examples, the worker may use a finger to move thespring biased clips and/or may use a tool. Releasably coupling the jetback and the jet body together may be advantageous as it may, amongother advantages, allow the worker to uncouple a jet back that wascoupled to the wrong jet body by mistake.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed in an illustrativemethod of coupling tubing to a jet back, and may not recite the completeprocess or all steps of the method. Although various steps of method2200 are described below and depicted in FIG. 67, the steps need notnecessarily all be performed, and in some cases may be performedsimultaneously or in a different order than the order shown. Method 2200includes coupling the tubing (such as tubing 120 or 1710) to the jetback (such as jet back 202) and may be performed as part of installing ajet assembly (such as jet assembly 200) and/or installing a hot tubplumbing system (such as system 1700).

At step 2202, a worker aligns an end of a length of tubing with the airand/or water ingress ports (such as water ingress port 310 and/or airingress port 312) on the jet back. At step 2204, the worker slides thetubing over the air and water ingress ports. In some examples, step 2202and/or step 2204 may include and/or may occur after dipping the end ofthe length of tubing in a lubricant (such as soapy water). For example,coupling the tubing to the ingress ports may include sliding the tubingover the end of the ingress ports and use of a lubricant may facilitatesliding the end of the tubing over the end of the air and/or wateringress ports.

In some examples, coupling the tubing to the jet back includes couplingthe first portion of the tubing to the water ingress port of the jetback and the second portion of the tubing to the air ingress port of thejet back. For example, the tubing may be dual extrusion tubing and thefirst and second portions may be joined at a periphery. In someexamples, the tubing may be dual extrusion tubing and the two portionsof the tubing may be slid over the ends of the air and water ingressports substantially simultaneously. In some examples, the tubing mayinclude separate air and water tubing and the tubing may be slid overthe ends of the air and water ingress ports substantially independently.For example, the water tubing may be slid over the end of the wateringress port and then the air tubing may be slid over the end of the airingress port or vice versa. In other words, the tubing may be slid overthe end of one ingress port and then over the end of the other ingressport.

At step 2206, the worker places a dual aperture clamp (such as clamp1800 or 1900) over the tubing where the tubing overlaps the air andwater ingress ports. At step 2208, the worker clamps the tubing to theingress ports by compressing an end portion (such as end portion 1814and/or 1914) of the clamp until a first and second set of teeth engageand compress the tubing against the ingress ports. The clamp ensuresthat the tubing does not slip off of the ingress ports of the jet back;the clamp cannot flex around a lip disposed or formed upon the wateringress port (such as lip 316 on jet assembly 300) and so cannot slipoff of the set of ingress ports. The clamp compresses the tubing againstthe ingress ports and ensures a water- and/or air-tight seal between thetubing and the ingress ports. For example, a water- and air-tight sealcan be achieved using the clamp and without the use of glue, primer,and/or other adhesives.

In some examples, the tubing is dual extrusion tubing and the clamp hasa shape that is complementary to the shape of the tubing such that theclamp compresses all portions of the tubing. In some examples, thetubing includes separate air and water tubing and the clamp is shapedsuch that it can compress both the air tubing and the water tubingsubstantially separately and substantially simultaneously.

Installing Manifold Assembly

This section describes steps of illustrative methods for assemblingportions of a hot tub manifold assembly such as manifold assembly 910;see FIGS. 68, 69, 70 and 71. Aspects and/or components of hot tub 100,jet assembly 200, manifold assembly 910, and/or system 1700 may beutilized in the method steps described below. Where appropriate,reference may be made to components and systems that may be used incarrying out each step. These references are for illustration and arenot intended to limit the possible ways of carrying out any particularstep of the method.

FIG. 68 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed in an illustrativemethod of assembling a portion of a manifold assembly, and may notrecite the complete process or all steps of the method. Although varioussteps of method 2300 are described below and depicted in FIG. 68, thesteps need not necessarily all be performed, and in some cases may beperformed simultaneously or in a different order than the order shown.Method 2300 includes coupling the manifold (such as manifold 920) toanother component and may performed as part of installing a manifoldassembly (such as manifold assembly 910) and/or installing a hot tubplumbing system (such as system 1700). Specifically, method 2300includes coupling the manifold to a component which is downstream of themanifold and which may include a second manifold, a female adapter (suchas female adapter 940), and/or an end cap (such as end cap 950).

At step 2302, a worker aligns the manifold with another component. Insome examples, the other component may be a second manifold, a femaleadapter, and/or an end cap. In some examples, the manifold and/or theother manifold may already be coupled with tubing (such as tubing 1710).In some examples, the female adapter may already be coupled with airand/or water supply lines (such as pipe 112 and/or air tubing 116). Insome examples, aligning the manifold with the other component mayinclude positioning the manifold against the other component. At step2304, the worker compresses the manifold against the other componentsuch that spring-biased clips (such as clips 1032, 1040, 1432, 1448,1228, 1234, 1328, 1334, 1628, and/or 1634) on the other component engagewith a retaining feature (such as retaining post 1038 and/or ridge 1046,1438, and/or 1448) on the manifold.

For example, the spring-biased clips may be configured to flex away froma default position when a sloped lip (such as lip 1036, 1044, 1436,1454, 1232, 1238, 1332, 1338, 1632, and/or 1638) slides along anexternal portion of the manifold and over the retaining feature. Thespring-biased clips may be further configured to snap back into thedefault position when the sloped lip passes the retaining feature on themanifold. In some examples, the spring-biased clips may engage with theretaining feature and prevent the other component from sliding off ofthe manifold. Thus, the manifold and the other component are coupledtogether.

In some examples, the manifold and the other component may be configuredto be able to be unlocked and/or uncoupled. Uncoupling the manifold fromthe other component may be accomplished by moving the spring-biasedclips away from the default position and reversing steps 2304 and 2302.For example, to uncouple the manifold from the other component, theworker may move the spring-biased clips away from the default positionand slide the other component off of the manifold. In some examples, theworker may use a finger to move the spring-biased clips and/or may use atool. Releasably coupling the manifold and the other component togethermay be advantageous as it may, among other advantages, allow the workerto uncouple a manifold that was coupled to the wrong component bymistake.

FIG. 69 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed in an illustrativemethod of assembling another portion of a manifold assembly, and may notrecite the complete process or all steps of the method. Although varioussteps of method 2400 are described below and depicted in FIG. 69, thesteps need not necessarily all be performed, and in some cases may beperformed simultaneously or in a different order than the order shown.Method 2400 includes coupling the manifold (such as manifold 920) toanother component and may performed as part of installing a manifoldassembly (such as manifold assembly 910) and/or installing a hot tubplumbing system (such as system 1700). Specifically, method 2400includes coupling the manifold to a component which is upstream of themanifold and which may include a second manifold and/or a male adapter(such as male adapter 930).

At step 2402, a worker aligns the manifold with another component. Insome examples, the other component may be a second manifold and/or amale adapter. In some examples, the manifold and/or the other manifoldmay already be coupled with tubing (such as tubing 1710). In someexamples, the male adapter may already be coupled with air and/or watersupply lines (such as pipe 112 and/or air tubing 116). In some examples,aligning the manifold with the other component may include positioningthe manifold against the other component. At step 2404, the workercompresses the manifold against the other component such thatspring-biased clips (such as clips 1032, 1040, 1432, and/or 1448) on themanifold engage with a retaining feature (such as retaining post 1038and/or 1130 and/or ridge 1046, 1438, 1448, 1132, 1524, and/or 1534) onthe other component.

For example, the spring-biased clips may be configured to flex away froma default position when a sloped lip (such as lip 1036, 1044, 1436,and/or 1454) slides along an external portion of the other component andover the retaining feature. The spring-biased clips may be furtherconfigured to snap back into the default position when the sloped lippasses the retaining feature on the other component. In some examples,the spring-biased clips may engage with the retaining feature andprevent the manifold from sliding off of the other component. Thus, themanifold and the other component are coupled together.

In some examples, the manifold and the other component may be configuredto be able to be unlocked and/or uncoupled. Uncoupling the manifold fromthe other component may be accomplished by moving the spring-biasedclips away from the default position and reversing steps 2404 and 2402.For example, to uncouple the manifold from the other component, theworker may move the spring-biased clips away from the default positionand slide the manifold off of the other component. In some examples, theworker may use a finger to move the spring-biased clips and/or may use atool. Releasably coupling the manifold and the other component togethermay be advantageous as it may, among other advantages, allow the workerto uncouple a manifold that was coupled to the wrong component bymistake.

FIG. 70 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed in an illustrativemethod of attaching tubing to a manifold assembly, and may not recitethe complete process or all steps of the method. Although various stepsof method 2500 are described below and depicted in FIG. 70, the stepsneed not necessarily all be performed, and in some cases may beperformed simultaneously or in a different order than the order shown.Method 2500 includes coupling the tubing (such as tubing 120 or 1710) tothe manifold (such as manifold 920) and may be performed as part ofinstalling a manifold assembly (such as manifold assembly 910) and/orinstalling a hot tub plumbing system (such as system 1700).

At step 2502, a worker aligns an end of a length of tubing with the airand/or water egress ports (such as water egress port 1016 and/or 1416and/or air egress port 1018 and/or 1418) on the manifold. At step 2504,the worker slides the tubing over the air and water egress ports. Insome examples, step 2502 and/or step 2504 may include and/or may occurafter dipping the end of the length of tubing in a lubricant (such assoapy water). For example, coupling the tubing to the egress ports mayinclude sliding the tubing over the end of the egress ports and use of alubricant may facilitate sliding the end of the tubing over the end ofthe air and/or water egress ports.

In some examples, coupling the tubing to the manifold includes couplingthe first portion of the tubing to the water egress port of the manifoldand the second portion of the tubing to the air egress port of themanifold. For example, the tubing may be dual extrusion tubing and thefirst and second portions may be joined at a periphery. In someexamples, the tubing may be dual extrusion tubing and the two portionsof the tubing may be slid over the ends of the air and water egressports substantially simultaneously. In some examples, the tubing mayinclude separate air and water tubing and the tubing may be slid overthe ends of the air and water egress ports substantially independently.For example, the water tubing may be slid over the end of the wateregress port and then the air tubing may be slid over the end of the airegress port or vice versa. In other words, the tubing may be slid overthe end of one egress port and then over the end of the other egressport.

At step 2506, the worker places a dual aperture clamp (such as clamp1800 or 1900) over the tubing where the tubing overlaps the air andwater egress ports. At step 2508, the worker clamps the tubing to theegress ports by compressing an end portion (such as end portion 1814and/or 1914) of the clamp until a first and second set of teeth engageand compress the tubing against the egress ports. The clamp ensures thatthe tubing does not slip off of the egress ports of the manifold; theclamp cannot flex around a lip disposed on the water egress port (suchas lip 1020) and so cannot slip off of the set of egress ports. Theclamp compresses the tubing against the egress ports and ensures awater- and/or air-tight seal between the tubing and the egress ports.For example, a water- and air-tight seal can be achieved using the clampand without the use of glue, primer, and/or other adhesives.

In some examples, the tubing is dual extrusion tubing and the clamp hasa shape that is complementary to the shape of the tubing such that theclamp compresses all portions of the tubing. In some examples, thetubing includes separate air and water tubing and the clamp is shapedsuch that it can compress both the air tubing and the water tubingsubstantially separately and substantially simultaneously.

FIG. 71 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed in an illustrativemethod of coupling air and water sources to manifold adapters in amanifold assembly, and may not recite the complete process or all stepsof the method. Although various steps of method 2600 are described belowand depicted in FIG. 71, the steps need not necessarily all beperformed, and in some cases may be performed simultaneously or in adifferent order than the order shown. Method 2600 includes installingair and water supply lines (such as pipe 112 and/or air tubing 116) andmay be performed as part of installing a manifold assembly (such asmanifold assembly 910) and/or installing a hot tub plumbing system (suchas system 1700).

At step 2602, a worker couples a first end of a water supply line orpipe (such as pipe 112) to a first male adapter (such as male adapter930). In some examples, any suitable mechanism for coupling the watersupply line to the adapter may be used. In some examples, this step mayinclude the application of glue, primer, and/or any other suitableadhesive to the water supply line and/or the adapter. For example, gluemay be applied to the outside of the end of the water supply line beforeit is inserted into the end of the water conduit of the male adapter. Insome examples, this step may include the application of a clamp and/orany other suitable connection mechanism.

At step 2604, the worker couples a first end of an air supply line orair tubing (such as air tubing 116) to the first male adapter (such asmale adapter 930). In some examples, any suitable mechanism for couplingthe air supply line to the adapter may be used. In some examples, thisstep may include the application of glue, primer, and/or any othersuitable adhesive to the air supply line and/or the adapter. Forexample, primer may be applied to the outside of the end of the airsupply line before it is inserted into the end of the air conduit of themale adapter. In some examples, this step may include the application ofa clamp and/or any other suitable connection mechanism.

At step 2606, the worker couples a second end of the water supply lineto a valve (such as valve 108) and/or a female adapter (such as femaleadapter 940). In some examples, the water supply line may be connectinga first manifold assembly to a water source and the second end of thewater supply line may couple with a valve and/or with a female adapterwhich couples with the valve. In some examples, the water supply linemay be connecting a first manifold assembly to a second manifoldassembly and the water supply line may couple with a female adapter. Insome examples, any suitable mechanism for coupling the water supply lineto the valve and/or adapter may be used.

Step 2606 may be generally similar to step 2602. For example, step 2606may include the application of glue, primer, and/or any other suitableadhesive to the water supply line, the valve, and/or the adapter. Forexample, glue may be applied to the outside of the end of the watersupply line before it is inserted into the end of a water conduit of thefemale adapter and/or the valve. In some examples, this step may includethe application of a clamp and/or any other suitable connectionmechanism.

At step 2608, the worker couples a second end of the air supply line toan air supply (such as air supply 114) and/or a female adapter (such asfemale adapter 940). In some examples, the air supply line may beconnecting a first manifold assembly to an air supply and the second endof the air supply line may couple with the air supply and/or with afemale adapter which couples with the air supply. In some examples, theair supply line may be connecting a first manifold assembly to a secondmanifold assembly and the air supply line may couple with a femaleadapter. In some examples, any suitable mechanism for coupling the airsupply line to the air supply and/or adapter may be used. Step 2608 maybe generally similar to step 2604. For example, step 2608 may includethe application of glue, primer, and/or any other suitable adhesive tothe air supply line, the air supply, and/or the adapter. For example,primer may be applied to the outside of the end of the water supply linebefore it is inserted into the end of an air conduit of the femaleadapter and/or the air supply. In some examples, this step may includethe application of a clamp and/or any other suitable connectionmechanism.

At optional step 2610, the worker couples the first male adapter to afirst manifold (such as manifold 920). Coupling the first male adapterto the manifold may include any suitable mechanism. For example, thefirst male adapter and the manifold may be coupled by a“press-and-click” method described above. At optional step 2612, theworker couples the female adapter to a valve (such as valve 108), an airsupply (such as air supply 114), and/or a second manifold (such asmanifold 920). Coupling the female adapter to the valve, the air supply,and/or the second manifold may include any suitable mechanism. Forexample, the female adapter and the second manifold may be coupled by a“press-and-click” method described above. In some examples, the femaleadapter may be coupled with the valve and/or the air supply using a“press-and-click” method such as described above.

E. Additional Examples and Illustrative Combinations

This section describes additional aspects and features of a hot tubplumbing system, its components and its methods of assembly, presentedwithout limitation as a series of paragraphs, some or all of which maybe alphanumerically designated for clarity and efficiency. Each of theseparagraphs can be combined with one or more other paragraphs, and/orwith disclosure from elsewhere in this application, including thematerials incorporated by reference in the Cross-References, in anysuitable manner. Some of the paragraphs below expressly refer to andfurther limit other paragraphs, providing without limitation examples ofsome of the suitable combinations.

A. A hot tub jet assembly, comprising:

a jet body configured to receive separate streams of air and water, tomerge the separate streams of air and water together to form a mixedstream of air and water, and to provide the mixed stream of air andwater from an outlet aperture;

a jet back configured to couple to the jet body and to provide theseparate streams of air and water to the jet body, the jet backincluding:

-   -   a central portion configured to create a water tight seal with        the jet body;    -   an attachment mechanism extending from a first end of the        central portion and configured to attach the jet back to the jet        body in a secure manner; and    -   a pair of parallel hollow protrusions extending from a second        end of the central portion, each protrusion configured to        receive one of the separate streams of air and water from a dual        extrusion tube.

A1. The jet assembly of paragraph A, wherein the attachment mechanismincludes at least two spring-biased clips extending from the first endof the central portion of the jet back, each clip configured to snapinto spring-biased engagement with a retaining ridge disposed at aperiphery of the jet body.

A2. The jet assembly of paragraph A, wherein the jet body includes atleast one O-ring disposed around a periphery of the jet body, andwherein an inner cylindrical surface of the central portion of the jetback is configured to fit around the O-ring in a substantially watertight compression fit.

A3. The jet assembly of paragraph A, further comprising a jet insertconfigured fit within an aperture of a hot tub body, to receive themixed stream of air and water from the jet body and to channel the mixedstream of air and water into an interior portion of the hot tub bodythrough the aperture.

A4. The jet assembly of paragraph A, wherein the parallel hollowprotrusions define longitudinal axes oriented parallel to a longitudinalaxis defined by the central portion.

A5. The jet assembly of paragraph A, wherein the parallel hollowprotrusions define longitudinal axes oriented at a non-zero anglerelative to a longitudinal axis defined by the central portion.

A6. The jet assembly of paragraph A5, wherein the non-zero angle is 90degrees.

AA. A hot tub jet back configured to provide separate streams of air andwater to a hot tub jet body, comprising:

a central portion configured to create a water tight seal with the jetbody;

an attachment mechanism extending from a first end of the centralportion and configured to attach the jet back to the jet body in asecure manner; and

a pair of parallel hollow fluid ports extending from a second end of thecentral portion, each protrusion configured to receive one of theseparate streams of air and water from a dual extrusion tube.

AA1. The jet back of paragraph AA, wherein the attachment mechanismincludes at least two opposed, spring-biased clips extending from thefirst end of the central portion of the jet back, each opposed clipconfigured to snap into spring-biased engagement with a complementaryretaining ridge.

AA2. The jet back of paragraph AA1, further comprising a hot tub jetbody, wherein the jet body includes at least one O-ring and a retainingridge disposed around a periphery of the jet body, an inner cylindricalsurface of the central portion of the jet back is configured to fitaround the O-ring in a substantially water tight compression fit, andthe opposed clips of the jet back are configured to snap intospring-biased engagement with the retaining ridge of the jet body.

AA3. The jet back of paragraph AA2, further comprising a hot tub jetinsert configured to fit within an aperture of a hot tub body, toreceive the mixed stream of air and water from the hot tub jet body andto channel the mixed stream of air and water into an interior portion ofthe hot tub body through the aperture.

AB. A hot tub jet assembly, comprising:

a jet back including first and second parallel, hollow fluid receivingports extending from one end, wherein the first and second ports areconfigured to receive a stream of air and a stream of water,respectively, from a dual extrusion tube carrying both streams inadjacent portions of the tube, the jet back further including aplurality of spring-biased clips extending from another end of the jetback and configured to engage securely with a complementary ridge.

AB1. The jet assembly of paragraph AB, further comprising a jet bodyconfigured to engage securely with the jet back, to receive the streamsof air and water from the jet back, to merge the separate streams of airand water together to form a mixed stream of air and water, and toprovide the mixed stream of air and water from an outlet aperture.

AB2. The jet assembly of paragraph AB1, further wherein thespring-biased clips are configured to engage securely with acomplementary ridge formed on the jet body.

AB3. The jet assembly of paragraph AB2, wherein the at least twospring-biased clips include four spring-biased clips evenly spacedaround a periphery of the jet back.

AB4. The jet assembly of paragraph AB2, wherein the jet body includestwo 0-rings disposed around a periphery of the jet body, and wherein thejet back is configured to engage securely with the jet body in asubstantially water tight manner when the spring-biased clips of the jetback are engaged with the complementary ridge of the jet body.

B. A hot tub air and water supply manifold, comprising:

a water conduit defining a first longitudinal axis and configured toreceive water from a water supply line;

at least one air conduit defining a second longitudinal axis parallel tothe first longitudinal axis and configured to receive air from an airsupply line, the air conduit having a periphery joined to a periphery ofthe water conduit;

a first water egress port in fluid communication with the water conduit;

a first air egress port in fluid communication with the air conduit;

wherein the first water egress port and the first air egress port aredisposed substantially parallel and adjacent to each other, and areconfigured to channel streams of water and air, respectively, to a firstdual extrusion tube.

B1. The supply manifold of paragraph B, wherein the first water egressport and the first air egress port are both oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the water conduit and to the air conduit.

B2. The supply manifold of paragraph B, wherein the at least one airconduit includes a first air conduit joined to a first portion of theperiphery of the water conduit, and a second air conduit joined to asecond portion of the periphery of the water conduit, wherein the firstair egress port is in fluid communication with the first air conduit,and further comprising:

a second water egress port in fluid communication with the waterconduit;

a second air egress port in fluid communication with the second airconduit;

wherein the second water egress port and the second air egress port aredisposed substantially parallel and adjacent to each other and areconfigured to channel streams of water and air, respectively, to asecond dual extrusion tube.

B3. The supply manifold of paragraph B2, wherein the first portion ofthe periphery of the water conduit and the second portion of theperiphery of the water conduit are separated from each other byapproximately 180 degrees.

B4. The supply manifold of paragraph B2, further comprising a firstspring-biased clip extending from a peripheral portion of a distal endof the first air conduit and a second spring-biased clip extending froma peripheral portion of a distal end of the second air conduit, andwherein the first and second spring-biased clips are respectivelyconfigured to engage complementary retaining ridges disposed atperipheral portions of first and second air conduits of an adjacent airand water supply manifold.

B5. The supply manifold of paragraph B2, further comprising a firstretaining ridge disposed at a peripheral portion of the first airconduit and a second retaining ridge disposed at a peripheral portion ofthe second air conduit, wherein the first retaining ridge is configuredto engage securely with a spring-biased clip extending from a first airconduit of an adjacent air and water supply manifold, and the secondretaining ridge is configured to engage securely with a spring-biasedclip extending from a second air conduit of the adjacent air and watersupply manifold.

BA. A hot tub air and water supply manifold system, comprising:

a male manifold adapter, including:

-   -   a male manifold adapter water conduit defining a first        longitudinal axis and configured to receive water from a water        supply pipe; and    -   a first male manifold adapter air conduit defining a second        longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the        first male manifold adapter air conduit having a periphery        joined to a periphery of the male manifold adapter water        conduit;

a manifold body, including:

-   -   a manifold body water conduit having a first end configured to        connect with one end of the male manifold adapter water conduit        in a water tight manner with a longitudinal axis of the manifold        body water conduit collinear with the first longitudinal axis;    -   a first manifold body air conduit having a first end configured        to connect with one end of the first male manifold adapter air        conduit in an air tight manner with a longitudinal axis of the        first manifold body air conduit collinear with the second        longitudinal axis;    -   a first water egress port in fluid communication with the        manifold body water conduit; and    -   a first air egress port in fluid communication with the first        manifold body air conduit;

wherein the first water egress port and the first air egress port aredisposed substantially parallel to each other, and are configured tochannel respective streams of water and air to a first dual extrusiontube.

BA1. The manifold system of paragraph BA, further comprising an end capincluding a water conduit end cap configured to attach securely to asecond end of the manifold body water conduit and to prevent passage ofwater, and a first air conduit end cap configured to attach securely toa second end of the first manifold body air conduit and to preventpassage of air.

BA2. The supply manifold of paragraph BA, wherein the first water egressport and the first air egress port are each oriented perpendicular tothe first longitudinal axis.

BA3. The supply manifold of paragraph BA, wherein the male manifoldadapter includes:

-   -   a second male manifold adapter air conduit defining a third        longitudinal axis parallel to the first and second longitudinal        axes, the second male manifold adapter air conduit having a        periphery joined to the periphery of the male manifold adapter        water conduit; and

wherein the manifold body includes:

-   -   a second manifold body air conduit having a first end configured        to connect with one end of the second male manifold adapter air        conduit in an air tight manner with a longitudinal axis of the        second manifold body air conduit collinear with the third        longitudinal axis;    -   a second water egress port in fluid communication with the        manifold body water conduit; and    -   a second air egress port in fluid communication with the second        manifold body air conduit;

wherein the second water egress port and the second air egress port aredisposed substantially parallel to each other, and are configured tochannel respective streams of water and air to a second dual extrusiontube.

BA4. The supply manifold of paragraph BA, wherein the male manifoldadapter includes a pair of male manifold adapter air conduits, eachdefining a separate longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinalaxis, each having a periphery joined to a periphery of the male manifoldadapter water conduit, and separated along the periphery of the malemanifold adapter water conduit by 180 degrees;

wherein the manifold body includes:

-   -   a pair of manifold body air conduits each having a first end        configured to connect with an end of a corresponding one of the        male manifold adapter air conduits in an air tight manner with a        longitudinal axis each manifold body air conduit collinear with        the longitudinal axis of the corresponding male manifold adapter        air conduit;    -   a pair of water egress ports each in fluid communication with        the manifold body water conduit; and    -   a pair of air egress ports each in fluid communication with a        corresponding one of the manifold body air conduits; and

wherein a first one of the water egress ports and a first one of the airegress ports are disposed substantially parallel and adjacent to eachother, and are configured to channel respective streams of water and airto a first dual extrusion tube; and a second one of the water egressports and a second one of the air egress ports are disposedsubstantially parallel and adjacent to each other, and are configured tochannel respective streams of water and air to a second dual extrusiontube.

BA5. The supply manifold of paragraph BA4, wherein each of the wateregress ports and each of the air egress ports is oriented perpendicularto the first longitudinal axis.

C. A hot tub plumbing system, comprising:

a manifold configured to receive separate air and water supply streamsand to direct those streams into a water egress port and an air egressport, respectively, wherein the water egress port and the air egressport are substantially parallel and adjacent to each other;

a flexible dual extrusion tube including a first hollow cylindricalportion configured to couple to the water egress port and a secondhollow cylindrical portion configured to couple to the air egress port,wherein the first and second hollow cylindrical portions are joinedtogether at peripheral portions;

a jet back including a pair of adjacent parallel hollow protrusions eachconfigured to receive one of the streams of air and water from arespective one of the hollow cylindrical portions of the dual extrusiontube; and

a jet body configured to receive the streams of air and water from thejet back, to merge the streams of air and water together to form a mixedstream of air and water, and to provide the mixed stream of air andwater from an outlet.

C1. The hot tub plumbing system of paragraph C, wherein the jet backincludes a central portion configured to create a water tight seal withthe jet body, and an attachment mechanism extending from a first end ofthe central portion and configured to attach the jet back to the jetbody in a secure manner.

C2. The hot tub plumbing system of paragraph C1, wherein the attachmentmechanism includes a pair of opposed, spring-biased clips extending fromthe first end of the central portion of the jet back, each opposed clipconfigured to snap into spring-biased engagement with a complementaryretaining ridge disposed at a periphery of the jet body.

C3. The hot tub plumbing system of paragraph C1, wherein the jet bodyincludes at least one O-ring disposed around a periphery of the jetbody, and wherein an inner cylindrical surface of the central portion ofthe jet back is configured to fit around the O-ring in a substantiallywater tight compression fit.

C4. The hot tub plumbing system of paragraph C, further comprising a jetinsert configured fit within an aperture of a hot tub body, to receivethe mixed stream of air and water from the jet body outlet, and tochannel the mixed stream of air and water into an interior portion ofthe hot tub body through the aperture.

C5. The hot tub plumbing system of paragraph C, further comprising aone-piece clamp configured to hold the dual extrusion tube in watertight engagement with the egress ports of the manifold.

C6. The hot tub plumbing system of paragraph C5, wherein the clamp isalso configured to hold the dual extrusion tube in water tightengagement with the protrusions of the jet back.

C7. The hot tub plumbing system of paragraph C6, wherein the clampdefines a pair of contiguous arcuate apertures and a selectivelyreleasable end portion having first and second sets of complementaryratcheting teeth configured to be engaged with each other uponcompression of the end portion.

CA. A hot tub plumbing system, comprising:

a manifold configured to receive separate air and water supply streamsand to channel the streams into a water egress port and an air egressport;

a flexible dual extrusion tube including a first tubular portionconfigured to couple to the water egress port and a second tubularportion configured to couple to the air egress port, wherein the firstand second tubular portions are joined together in a figure-eightconfiguration; and

a jet back including a pair of adjacent parallel hollow protrusions eachconfigured to receive one of the streams of air and water from arespective one of the tubular portions of the dual extrusion tube.

CA1. The hot tub plumbing system of paragraph CA, further comprising ajet body configured to receive the streams of air and water from the jetback, to merge the streams of air and water together to form a mixedstream of air and water, and to channel the mixed stream of air andwater into an outlet.

CA2. The hot tub plumbing system of paragraph CA1, further comprising ajet insert configured to be attached within an aperture of a hot tubbody, to receive the mixed stream of air and water from the outlet ofthe jet body, and to channel the mixed stream of air and water into thehot tub through the aperture.

D. A method of plumbing a hot tub, comprising:

coupling a first end of a flexible dual extrusion tube to a manifold,including coupling a first hollow cylindrical portion of the dualextrusion tube to a water egress port of the manifold and coupling asecond hollow cylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tube to an airegress port of the manifold, wherein the water egress port and the airegress port of the manifold are substantially parallel and adjacent toeach other;

coupling a second end of the dual extrusion tube to a jet back having apair of adjacent parallel hollow protrusions each configured to coupleto a respective one of the hollow cylindrical portions of the dualextrusion tube; and

coupling the jet back to a jet body configured to receive streams of airand water from the jet back, to merge the streams of air and watertogether to form a mixed stream of air and water, and to provide themixed stream of air and water from an outlet.

D1. The method of paragraph D, further comprising coupling the jet bodyto a jet insert, and inserting the jet insert into an aperture of thehot tub.

D2. The method of paragraph D, further comprising coupling separate airand water supply lines to the air ingress port and the water ingressport of the manifold, respectively.

D3. The method of paragraph D, wherein coupling the jet back to the jetbody includes compressing the jet back against the jet body until a pairof opposed, spring-biased clips extending from a distal end of the jetback snap into spring-biased engagement with a complementary retainingridge disposed at a periphery of the jet body.

D4. The method of paragraph D, wherein coupling the jet back to the jetbody includes compressing the jet back against the jet body until fourspring-biased clips extending from a distal end of the jet back snapinto spring-biased engagement with a complementary retaining ridgedisposed at a periphery of the jet body.

D5. The method of paragraph D, further comprising clamping the dualextrusion tube to the manifold with a dual aperture clamp defining apair of contiguous arcuate apertures and a selectively releasable endportion having first and second sets of complementary ratcheting teeth,by compressing the end portion of the clamp until the first and secondsets of teeth engage with each other and compress the tube against theegress ports of the manifold.

D6. The method of paragraph D, further comprising clamping the dualextrusion tube to the jet back with a dual aperture clamp defining apair of contiguous arcuate apertures and a selectively releasable endportion having first and second sets of complementary ratcheting teeth,by compressing the end portion of the clamp until the first and secondsets of teeth engage with each other and compress the tube against theprotrusions of the jet back.

DA. A method of plumbing a hot tub, comprising:

coupling a first end of a flexible dual extrusion tube to an air egressport and a water egress port of a manifold;

coupling a second end of the dual extrusion tube to a jet back having apair of adjacent parallel hollow protrusions each configured to coupleto a respective hollow cylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tube;and

DB. A method of plumbing a hot tub, comprising:

coupling a first end of a flexible dual extrusion tube to a manifold,including coupling a first hollow cylindrical portion of the dualextrusion tube to a water egress port of the manifold and coupling asecond hollow cylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tube to an airegress port of the manifold, wherein the water egress port and the airegress port of the manifold are substantially parallel and adjacent toeach other;

coupling a second end of the dual extrusion tube to a jet back;

coupling an outlet of the jet back to a jet body;

coupling the jet body to a jet insert; and

attaching the jet insert within an aperture of a hot tub body.

E1. A hot tub air and water supply manifold assembly, comprising:

a manifold body, including:

-   -   a water ingress conduit having a first end configured to receive        water;    -   a first air ingress conduit having a first end configured to        receive air;    -   a second air ingress conduit having a first end configured to        receive air;    -   a first water egress port in fluid communication with the water        ingress conduit;    -   a second water egress port in fluid communication with the water        ingress conduit;    -   a first air egress port in fluid communication with the first        air ingress conduit; and    -   a second air egress port in fluid communication with the second        air ingress conduit;    -   wherein the water ingress conduit, the first air ingress        conduit, and the second air ingress conduit define a first set        of parallel longitudinal axes; the first water egress port, the        second water egress port, the first air egress port and the        second air egress port define a second set of parallel        longitudinal axes perpendicular to the first set of parallel        longitudinal axes; the first water egress port and the first air        egress port are closely separated and configured to couple to a        first dual extrusion tube; and the second water egress port and        the second air egress port are closely separated and configured        to couple to a second dual extrusion tube.

E2. The hot tub air and water supply manifold assembly of paragraph E1,further comprising at least two spring biased clips extending from asecond end of the water ingress conduit, at least one spring biased clipextending from a second end of the first air ingress conduit, and atleast one spring biased clip extending from a second end of the secondair ingress conduit.

E3. The hot tub air and water supply manifold assembly of paragraph E2,further comprising retaining ridges formed around outer peripheralportions of the first end of the water ingress conduit, the first airingress conduit, and the second air ingress conduit, wherein theretaining ridges are configured to securely engage spring biased clipsextending from an adjacent manifold component.

E4. The hot tub air and water supply manifold assembly of paragraph E1,further comprising a male manifold adapter including:

-   -   a male manifold adapter water conduit configured to receive        water from a water supply line and to provide water to the first        end of the water ingress conduit of the manifold body;    -   a first male manifold adapter air conduit having a peripheral        portion joined to a first peripheral portion of the male        manifold adapter water conduit, configured to receive air from a        first air supply line and to provide air to the first end of the        first air ingress conduit of the manifold body; and    -   a second male manifold adapter air conduit having a peripheral        portion joined to a second peripheral portion of the male        manifold adapter water conduit, configured to receive air from a        second air supply line and to provide air to the first end of        the second air ingress conduit of the manifold body.

E5. The hot tub air and water supply manifold assembly of paragraph E1,further comprising a female manifold adapter including:

-   -   a female manifold adapter water conduit configured to receive        water from a second end of the water ingress conduit of the        manifold body and to provide water to a water supply line;    -   a first female manifold adapter air conduit configured to        receive air from a second end of the first air ingress conduit        of the manifold body and to provide air to a first air supply        line; and    -   a second female manifold adapter air conduit configured to        receive air from a second end of the second air ingress conduit        of the manifold body and to provide air to a second air supply        line.

E6. The hot tub air and water supply manifold assembly of paragraph E1,further comprising a manifold end cap including a water conduit end capconfigured to attach securely to a second end of the water ingressconduit and to prevent passage of water, a first air conduit end capconfigured to attach securely to a second end of the first air ingressconduit and to prevent passage of air, and a second air conduit end capconfigured to attach securely to a second end of the second air ingressconduit and to prevent passage of air.

E7. The hot tub air and water supply manifold assembly of paragraph E1,further comprising a first dual extrusion tube configured to couple tothe first water egress port and the first air egress port, and a seconddual extrusion tube configured to couple to the first water egress portand the first air egress port.

E8. The hot tub air and water supply manifold assembly of paragraph E1,wherein the assembly includes a plurality of substantially identicalmanifold bodies configured to fit together in a water tight manner, andwherein each of the manifold bodies is configured to emit water and airthrough a pair of dual extrusion tubes.

E9. A hot tub air and water supply manifold, comprising:

a water conduit defining a first longitudinal axis and configured toreceive water from a water supply line;

at least one air conduit defining a second longitudinal axis parallel tothe first longitudinal axis and configured to receive air from an airsupply line, the air conduit having a periphery joined to a periphery ofthe water conduit;

a first water egress port in fluid communication with the water conduit;

a first air egress port in fluid communication with the air conduit;

wherein the first water egress port and the first air egress port aredisposed substantially parallel and adjacent to each other, and areconfigured to channel streams of water and air, respectively, to a firstdual extrusion tube.

E10. The hot tub air and water supply manifold of paragraph E9, whereinthe first water egress port and the first air egress port are bothoriented substantially perpendicular to the water conduit and to the airconduit.

E11. The hot tub air and water supply manifold of paragraph E9, whereinthe at least one air conduit includes a first air conduit joined to afirst portion of the periphery of the water conduit, and a second airconduit joined to a second portion of the periphery of the waterconduit, wherein the first air egress port is in fluid communicationwith the first air conduit, and further comprising:

a second water egress port in fluid communication with the waterconduit;

a second air egress port in fluid communication with the second airconduit;

wherein the second water egress port and the second air egress port aredisposed substantially parallel and adjacent to each other and areconfigured to channel streams of water and air, respectively, to asecond dual extrusion tube.

E12. The hot tub air and water supply manifold of paragraph E11, whereinthe first portion of the periphery of the water conduit and the secondportion of the periphery of the water conduit are separated from eachother by approximately 180 degrees.

E13. The hot tub air and water supply manifold of paragraph E11, furthercomprising a first spring-biased clip extending from a peripheralportion of a distal end of the first air conduit and a secondspring-biased clip extending from a peripheral portion of a distal endof the second air conduit, and wherein the first and secondspring-biased clips are respectively configured to engage complementaryretaining ridges disposed at peripheral portions of first and second airconduits of an adjacent air and water supply manifold.

E14. The hot tub air and water supply manifold of paragraph E11, furthercomprising a first retaining ridge disposed at a peripheral portion ofthe first air conduit and a second retaining ridge disposed at aperipheral portion of the second air conduit, wherein the firstretaining ridge is configured to engage securely with a spring-biasedclip extending from a first air conduit of an adjacent air and watersupply manifold, and the second retaining ridge is configured to engagesecurely with a spring-biased clip extending from a second air conduitof the adjacent air and water supply manifold.

E15. A hot tub air and water supply manifold system, comprising:

a male manifold adapter, including:

-   -   a male manifold adapter water conduit defining a first        longitudinal axis and configured to receive water from a water        supply pipe; and    -   a first male manifold adapter air conduit defining a second        longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the        first male manifold adapter air conduit having a periphery        joined to a periphery of the male manifold adapter water        conduit;

a manifold body, including:

-   -   a manifold body water conduit having a first end configured to        connect with one end of the male manifold adapter water conduit        in a water tight manner with a longitudinal axis of the manifold        body water conduit collinear with the first longitudinal axis;    -   a first manifold body air conduit having a first end configured        to connect with one end of the first male manifold adapter air        conduit in an air tight manner with a longitudinal axis of the        first manifold body air conduit collinear with the second        longitudinal axis;    -   a first water egress port in fluid communication with the        manifold body water conduit; and    -   a first air egress port in fluid communication with the first        manifold body air conduit;

wherein the first water egress port and the first air egress port aredisposed substantially parallel to each other, and are configured tochannel respective streams of water and air to a first dual extrusiontube.

E16. The hot tub air and water supply manifold system of paragraph E15,further comprising an end cap including a water conduit end capconfigured to attach securely to a second end of the manifold body waterconduit and to prevent passage of water, and a first air conduit end capconfigured to attach securely to a second end of the first manifold bodyair conduit and to prevent passage of air.

E17. The hot tub air and water supply manifold system of paragraph E15,wherein the first water egress port and the first air egress port areeach oriented perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis.

E18. The hot tub air and water supply manifold system of paragraph E15,wherein the male manifold adapter includes:

-   -   a second male manifold adapter air conduit defining a third        longitudinal axis parallel to the first and second longitudinal        axes, the second male manifold adapter air conduit having a        periphery joined to the periphery of the male manifold adapter        water conduit; and

wherein the manifold body includes:

-   -   a second manifold body air conduit having a first end configured        to connect with one end of the second male manifold adapter air        conduit in an air tight manner with a longitudinal axis of the        second manifold body air conduit collinear with the third        longitudinal axis;    -   a second water egress port in fluid communication with the        manifold body water conduit; and    -   a second air egress port in fluid communication with the second        manifold body air conduit;

wherein the second water egress port and the second air egress port aredisposed substantially parallel to each other, and are configured tochannel respective streams of water and air to a second dual extrusiontube.

E19. The hot tub air and water supply manifold system of paragraph E15,wherein the male manifold adapter includes a pair of male manifoldadapter air conduits, each defining a separate longitudinal axisparallel to the first longitudinal axis, each having a periphery joinedto a periphery of the male manifold adapter water conduit, and separatedalong the periphery of the male manifold adapter water conduit by 180degrees;

wherein the manifold body includes:

-   -   a pair of manifold body air conduits each having a first end        configured to connect with an end of a corresponding one of the        male manifold adapter air conduits in an air tight manner with a        longitudinal axis each manifold body air conduit collinear with        the longitudinal axis of the corresponding male manifold adapter        air conduit;    -   a pair of water egress ports each in fluid communication with        the manifold body water conduit; and    -   a pair of air egress ports each in fluid communication with a        corresponding one of the manifold body air conduits; and

wherein a first one of the water egress ports and a first one of the airegress ports are disposed substantially parallel and adjacent to eachother, and are configured to channel respective streams of water and airto a first dual extrusion tube; and a second one of the water egressports and a second one of the air egress ports are disposedsubstantially parallel and adjacent to each other, and are configured tochannel respective streams of water and air to a second dual extrusiontube.

E20. The hot tub air and water supply manifold system of paragraph E19,wherein each of the water egress ports and each of the air egress portsis oriented perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis.

Advantages, Features, Benefits

The different embodiments and examples of the hot tub plumbing system,its components, and its methods of installation described herein provideseveral advantages over known solutions for delivering air and water tohot tub jets and for efficiently assembling a plumbing system.

For example, illustrative embodiments and examples described hereinreduce the amount of labor during hot tub assembly by significantlydecreasing the number of tubes, connections and associated fittingsused. This decrease is accomplished by using dual extrusion tubing whichdelivers air and water simultaneously. Benefits of using dual extrusiontubing may include significantly reducing (for example, by 50%) theamount of labor involved in installing the plumbing system in a hot tub,as well as decreasing the likelihood of mistakes in the tube routing.Furthermore, dual extrusion tubing can be used in conjunction withspecialized manifolds, described herein, which simplify how air andwater are routed to the hot tub jets.

Additionally, the systems and methods of installing a plumbing systemaccording to the present teachings may simplify installation by using a“press-and-click” assembly. Benefits of this method of assembly mayinclude a further reduction in labor, as well as a reduction in theamount of glue and adhesive used. The reduction or elimination of glueand primer is significant for several reasons. For example, manualapplication can be inconsistent, which can lead to failures of the jointthat are difficult and costly to repair. Furthermore, glue and primercontain volatile organic compounds that can pose environmental and humanhealth issues.

No known system or device can provide the advantages described above,among others. However, not all embodiments and examples described hereinprovide the same advantages or the same degree of advantage.

CONCLUSION

The disclosure set forth above may encompass multiple distinct exampleswith independent utility. Although each of these has been disclosed inits preferred form(s), the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed andillustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense, becausenumerous variations are possible. To the extent that section headingsare used within this disclosure, such headings are for organizationalpurposes only. The subject matter of the disclosure includes all noveland nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements,features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. The followingclaims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinationsregarded as novel and nonobvious. Other combinations and subcombinationsof features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed inapplications claiming priority from this or a related application. Suchclaims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to theoriginal claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matterof the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of plumbing a hot tub, comprising:inserting a jet body into an aperture in a wall of a hot tub body;coupling a first end of a flexible dual extrusion tube to a manifold,including sliding a first hollow cylindrical portion of the dualextrusion tube over a water egress port of the manifold and sliding asecond hollow cylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tube over an airegress port of the manifold, wherein the water egress port and the airegress port of the manifold are substantially parallel and adjacent toeach other; coupling a second end of the dual extrusion tube to a jetback having a pair of adjacent parallel hollow protrusions eachconfigured to couple to a respective one of the hollow cylindricalportions of the dual extrusion tube, by sliding the tube over theprotrusions; coupling the jet back to the jet body by compressing thejet back against the jet body until the jet back is securely coupled tothe jet body; and clamping the dual extrusion tube to the manifold witha dual aperture clamp defining a pair of contiguous arcuate aperturesand a selectively releasable end portion having first and second sets ofcomplementary ratcheting teeth, by compressing the end portion of theclamp until the first and second sets of teeth engage with each otherand compress the tube against the egress ports of the manifold; whereinthe jet body is configured to receive streams of air and water from thejet back, to merge the streams of air and water together to form a mixedstream of air and water, and to provide the mixed stream of air andwater into an interior of the hot tub body from an outlet.
 2. A methodof plumbing a hot tub, comprising: inserting a jet body into an aperturein a wall of a hot tub body; coupling a first end of a flexible dualextrusion tube to a manifold, including sliding a first hollowcylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tube over a water egress portof the manifold and sliding a second hollow cylindrical portion of thedual extrusion tube over an air egress port of the manifold, wherein thewater egress port and the air egress port of the manifold aresubstantially parallel and adjacent to each other; coupling a second endof the dual extrusion tube to a jet back having a pair of adjacentparallel hollow protrusions each configured to couple to a respectiveone of the hollow cylindrical portions of the dual extrusion tube, bysliding the tube over the protrusions; coupling the jet back to the jetbody by compressing the jet back against the jet body until the jet backis securely coupled to the jet body; and clamping the dual extrusiontube to the jet back with a dual aperture clamp defining a pair ofcontiguous arcuate apertures and a selectively releasable end portionhaving first and second sets of complementary ratcheting teeth, bycompressing the end portion of the clamp until the first and second setsof teeth engage with each other and compress the tube against theprotrusions of the jet back; wherein the jet body is configured toreceive streams of air and water from the jet back, to merge the streamsof air and water together to form a mixed stream of air and water, andto provide the mixed stream of air and water into an interior of the hottub body from an outlet.
 3. A method of plumbing a hot tub, comprising:coupling a flexible dual extrusion tube to a manifold by sliding a firstend of the tube over an air egress port and a water egress port of themanifold; coupling the dual extrusion tube to a jet back having a pairof adjacent parallel hollow protrusions each configured to couple to arespective hollow cylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tube, bysliding a second end of the dual extrusion tube over the parallel hollowprotrusions; coupling the jet back to a jet body by compressing the jetback against the jet body until at least two spring-biased clipsextending from a distal end of the jet back snap into spring-biasedengagement with a complementary retaining ridge disposed at a peripheryof the jet body; clamping the first end of the dual extrusion tube tothe air egress port and the water egress port of the manifold; andclamping the second end of the dual extrusion tube to the protrusions ofthe jet back; wherein clamping the first end of the dual extrusion tubeto the air egress port and the water egress port of the manifold, andclamping the second end of the dual extrusion tube to the protrusions ofthe jet back, are each performed with a respective dual aperture clampdefining a pair of contiguous arcuate apertures and a selectivelyreleasable end portion having first and second sets of complementaryratcheting teeth, by compressing the end portion of the clamp until thefirst and second sets of teeth engage with each other and compress thetube against the egress ports of the manifold and the protrusions of thejet back, respectively.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprisingcoupling an end cap to the manifold by aligning the end cap with alongitudinal axis of the manifold and compressing the end cap and themanifold together.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein compressing the endcap and the manifold together includes compressing the end cap and themanifold together until at least two spring-biased clips extending froma distal end of the end cap snap into spring-biased engagement with acomplementary retaining ridge disposed at a periphery of the manifold.6. The method of claim 4, further comprising steps for coupling air andwater supply lines to the manifold.
 7. A method of plumbing a hot tub,comprising: coupling a flexible dual extrusion tube to a manifold bysliding a first end of the tube over an air egress port and a wateregress port of the manifold; coupling the dual extrusion tube to a jetback having a pair of adjacent parallel hollow protrusions eachconfigured to couple to a respective hollow cylindrical portion of thedual extrusion tube, by sliding a second end of the dual extrusion tubeover the parallel hollow protrusions; coupling the jet back to a jetbody by compressing the jet back against the jet body until at least twospring-biased clips extending from a distal end of the jet back snapinto spring-biased engagement with a complementary retaining ridgedisposed at a periphery of the jet body; clamping the first end of thedual extrusion tube to the air egress port and the water egress port ofthe manifold; clamping the second end of the dual extrusion tube to theprotrusions of the jet back; and coupling an end cap to the manifold byaligning the end cap with a longitudinal axis of the manifold andcompressing the end cap and the manifold together; wherein compressingthe end cap and the manifold together includes compressing the end capand the manifold together until first, second, third and fourthspring-biased clips extending from the distal end of the end cap snapinto spring-biased engagement with complementary retaining postsdisposed at the periphery of the manifold.
 8. A method of plumbing a hottub, comprising: coupling a flexible dual extrusion tube to a manifoldby sliding a first end of the tube over an air egress port and a wateregress port of the manifold; coupling the dual extrusion tube to a jetback having a pair of adjacent parallel hollow protrusions eachconfigured to couple to a respective hollow cylindrical portion of thedual extrusion tube, by sliding a second end of the dual extrusion tubeover the parallel hollow protrusions; coupling the jet back to a jetbody by compressing the jet back against the jet body until at least twospring-biased clips extending from a distal end of the jet back snapinto spring-biased engagement with a complementary retaining ridgedisposed at a periphery of the jet body; clamping the first end of thedual extrusion tube to the air egress port and the water egress port ofthe manifold; clamping the second end of the dual extrusion tube to theprotrusions of the jet back; coupling an end cap to the manifold byaligning the end cap with a longitudinal axis of the manifold andcompressing the end cap and the manifold together; and furthercomprising steps for coupling air and water supply lines to themanifold; wherein coupling the air and water supply lines to themanifold includes coupling two air supply lines and one water supplyline to an adapter, and coupling the adapter to the manifold.
 9. Amethod of plumbing a hot tub, comprising: coupling a first end of aflexible dual extrusion tube to a manifold, including sliding a firstend of a first hollow cylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tubeover a protruding hollow water egress port of the manifold and sliding afirst end of a second hollow cylindrical portion of the dual extrusiontube over a protruding hollow air egress port of the manifold, whereinthe water egress port and the air egress port of the manifold aresubstantially parallel and adjacent to each other; coupling a second endof the dual extrusion tube to a jet back by sliding a second end of thefirst hollow cylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tube over aprotruding hollow water ingress port of the jet back and sliding asecond end of the second hollow cylindrical portion of the dualextrusion tube over a protruding hollow air ingress port of the jetback; coupling an outlet of the jet back to a jet body by compressingthe jet back to the jet body until spring biased clips on one of the jetback or the jet body snap into engagement with a complementary ridgedisposed at a periphery of the other of the jet back or the jet body;coupling the jet body to a jet insert; attaching the jet insert withinan aperture of a hot tub body; and supplying water and air to manifoldwith at least one air supply line and at least one water supply line;wherein the at least one air supply line includes two air supply linesconfigured to supply air to two air ingress portions of the manifold.10. The method of claim 9, further comprising coupling an end cap to adistal end of the manifold to prevent air and water from exiting thedistal end.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising clamping thefirst end of the dual extrusion tube to the manifold and clamping thesecond end of the dual extrusion tube to the jet back.
 12. A method ofplumbing a hot tub, comprising: coupling a first end of a flexible dualextrusion tube to a manifold, including sliding a first end of a firsthollow cylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tube over a protrudinghollow water egress port of the manifold and sliding a first end of asecond hollow cylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tube over aprotruding hollow air egress port of the manifold, wherein the wateregress port and the air egress port of the manifold are substantiallyparallel and adjacent to each other; coupling a second end of the dualextrusion tube to a jet back by sliding a second end of the first hollowcylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tube over a protruding hollowwater ingress port of the jet back and sliding a second end of thesecond hollow cylindrical portion of the dual extrusion tube over aprotruding hollow air ingress port of the jet back; coupling an outletof the jet back to a jet body by compressing the jet back to the jetbody until spring biased clips on one of the jet back or the jet bodysnap into engagement with a complementary ridge disposed at a peripheryof the other of the jet back or the jet body; coupling the jet body to ajet insert; attaching the jet insert within an aperture of a hot tubbody; and clamping the first end of the dual extrusion tube to themanifold and clamping the second end of the dual extrusion tube to thejet back; wherein clamping the first end of the dual extrusion tube tothe manifold and clamping the second end of the dual extrusion tube tothe jet back includes compressing an end portion of a first clamp untilfirst and second sets of teeth of the first clamp engage with each otherand compress the first end of the tube against the egress ports of themanifold, and compressing an end portion of a second clamp until firstand second sets of teeth of the second clamp engage with each other andcompress the second end of the tube against the ingress ports of the jetback.